JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- City and school officials are trying to assure parents their youngsters are not in danger as work crews test for contaminated soil just outside of a Jacksonville middle school.

Parents of Darnell-Cookman Middle School students were recently sent notices telling them that the school sits on a contaminated ash waste cite that contains lead and other toxins from incinerators from the early 1900s.

"That's an insult, to have the children on this property without knowing all the concerns," said parent Vandelyn Smith.

Smith told Channel 4 she is worried about her son, a seventh-grader at Darnell-Cookman.

The city and school board have known about the issue for seven years, but parents said they've have known for just one day.

"I was wondering why all of these years there was nothing stated about it? I am just waiting for more information," Smith said.

The school board, health officials and the city all said the reason nothing was stated in the past is because there is no danger at the school itself because the contaminants are buried deep in the soil and the kids are not being exposed.

They said the problem is with property surrounding the school, where they plan to build a new medical magnet school.

On Wednesday, there were crews taking soil samples and testing the ground to determine if it's safe.

The city said it plans to move in and cover some of the area with new dirt, which city and school officials said would make sure the school is safe.

"(There's) no danger to students, obviously. We are hoping the remediation will take place over the summer when there no students at the school," said school board spokeswoman Jill Johnson.

However, new dirt is only a temporary fix. In the past, the city has spent millions cleaning up some toxic sites and paying some homeowners thousands for contaminated property.

The city said it's still waiting on word from the feds to make a permanent fix and cleanup.

"We really have been waiting for the approval to go in and do what is necessary at Darnell-Cookman and the other cites since 2001," said mayor's office spokesman Susie Wiles.

Parents with questions are invited to attend a meeting at the middle school on Feb. 28, 3:15 p.m.-7 p.m.