EVSC's stockpile of PPE reassures some parents; others skeptical
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. has purchased thousands of protective personal equipment (PPE) items for the upcoming school year, and while that is not enough to allay all families' fears, parent Hannah Reagan says it has provided a sense of reassurance.
EVSC has mapped out a district-wide reopening plan filled with health and social distancing guidelines, and Reagan said the purchasing of PPE materials is a welcome response to parents' call for measures to protect students and staff from COVID-19, including her three school-aged children.
"I am proud of the efforts the EVSC has made," she said.
So far, EVSC Spokesman Jason Woebkenberg said the district has spent nearly $300,000 on PPE equipment to prepare for the reopening of schools on Aug. 19.
Over the last few weeks, EVSC has collected 200 sneeze guards, 49 foggers, 3,500 sanitizer bottles, 105 water bottle fillers, 50,000 social distancing decals, 10,500 face shields and nearly 500,000 masks.
Soap dispensers, alcohol-based hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will also be available in school classrooms.
Woebkenberg said these materials, acquired with funding from the CARES Act, will be distributed based on the number of students and staff members in each school.
"We have to make sure the PPE equipment that's needed by our schools are at the schools and ready to go when our schools resume," he said.
It's unclear whether the amount of PPE items will be sufficient for the upcoming school year, but Woebkenberg said EVSC will be prepared to add more if needed.
"We will closely monitor the amount of PPE in terms of what we start with and how much we have as the year progresses," he said. "If we need to order additional equipment, that is what we'll do."
Along with the purchasing of PPE items, the corporation spent approximately one million dollars on additional staff to help with social distancing in classrooms and other learning spaces.
EVSC also added full-time school nurses to help aid students throughout the day.
While she applauds EVSC's efforts, Jessie Bugeanu said she doubts the district's efforts will effectively reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 throughout school buildings.
"EVSC is doing good at preparing the schools with PPE, but they lack the ability to run the schools without risking the virus," she said.
Bugeanu, who acts as the guardian for three Daniel Wertz students, said schools should consider performing daily temperature checks and enforce Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb's mask mandate.
Despite reservations like those expressed by Bugeanu, Reagan said the district has made commendable steps to prepare students and teachers.
"I’m praying for the best in a difficult situation and choosing to be positive going into this," she said.