In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection in the district, facilities operations will be geared toward meeting social distancing requirements and cleaning frequently touched spaces regularly. In carrying out projects or tasks supporting infection control, requirements will be met for changes associated with building spaces. Plans for changes or additions to facilities that require review by the Office of Facilities Planning (OFP), will be submitted to comply with the requirements of the 2020 New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (BC) and the State Energy Conservation Code.
The function, position and operation of stairs and corridor doors, which have closers with automatic hold opens, and are automatically released by the fire alarm system, will remain unchanged.
The district will meet the deadline for submission of Building Condition Survey or Visual Inspections on time. In addition, lead in water sampling will be carried out upon the reopening of school under conditions consistent with when the building is “normally occupied.”
Upon reopening, the district plans to increase ventilation, to the greatest extent possible. Water systems will be flushed in buildings that have been unoccupied.
Currently all district buildings are in the process of summer cleaning. This process includes removing all classroom furniture and fixtures. Floors are being stripped of the prior year’s finish and cleaned and new wax applied. All furniture and hard surfaces are being cleaned and disinfected. Doors, door handles, handrails, lockers and walls are also being cleaned and disinfected.
Once a room is done, the door is locked to prevent contamination. Prior to reopening, all of the buildings will once again be completely disinfected. Toilet rooms will also undergo this process and will be locked as well. The maintenance staff is currently checking for proper water temperature at all available sinks district wide to ensure warm water for hand washing.
We have added additional hand sanitizing stations throughout the district including entry points into the buildings. We also made all air hand dryers inoperable and provided paper towel dispensers.
Once school is back in session the custodial staff will be doing an enhanced version of what is currently done on a daily basis.
This will include:
- Cleaning and disinfecting all spaces on a regular basis.
- Cleaning and disinfecting all frequently touched surfaces such as tables,door handles, light switches, countertop electronics, sinks and faucets, handrails, desks and tables, and countertops.
- Nurses offices will be cleaned and disinfected after each use and end of day.
- Occupational therapy and physical therapy equipment will be cleaned and disinfected after each use and at the end of the day.
- All exterior touch points will be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
- Cafeterias tables and seats will be cleaned after each use.
- Athletic facilities and equipment will be disinfected after each use.
- Any shared equipment will also be cleaned and disinfected periodically during the day (copy machines, elevator control panels and cabin rails).
A daily log will be maintained by all cleaning staff to document the frequency and level and time of cleaning.
The district has worked with its environmental/mechanical contractors and their engineers to determine the ability of our HVAC systems to accept a higher MERV filter without restricting air flow and damaging the unit.
We have adequate toilet facilities for the adult and student population. They will be refitted with paper towel dispensers and air dryer units will be made inoperable.
Dividers will be installed if needed to maintain social distancing and signage to promote proper hand hygiene.
Currently there are a mixture of traditional drinking fountains and bottle fill stations. If possible, traditional units can be replaced with bottle fill units.
Elementary school classrooms have a combination sink and attached water fountain unit. To prevent cross contamination we will disable the fountain and install disposal cup dispensers.
The district building management system will be monitored hourly to maintain proper air flow.
The building visual inspections have already been done as has all of the necessary work to complete the Build Condition Survey for all of our buildings.
There are no current plans for offsite facilities, temporary quarters, or tents.