Resources on Facilities Related Issues and COVID-19
Working Sessions on reopening K12 schools
Join state and district leaders, as well as civic and industry representatives working to Develop Concise and Uniform Guidance for Reopening & operating school facilities in a pandemic
Cooperative Strategies and the National Council on School Facilities are hosting a series of weekly working sessions on preparing K-12 school facilities to be reopened. The objectives of the working sessions are to A) develop a checklist for LEAs to organize their Covid-Related expenses and guidance for seeking reimbursement, and B) develop guidance from SEA, LEA, private and non-profit education leaders for safely and practically reopening schools.
The weekly working sessions are happening every Thursday at 3:00PM Eastern Time until June 4th. You can register here to participate. Please invite other school districts, industries, or non-profit leaders whose contributions to this conversation you believe would add value. Previous working sessions are available for review at this link.
Working Session Materials
PK12 Reopening Workbook: A detailed list of over 100 tasks organized according to achieving public health in schools objectives, that can be modified for individual state, district or school application.
Budget Estimates Workbook - Available Soon
COVID-19 Room Capacity Workbook - Available Soon
Reopen Scenario Workbook - Available Soon
There are 51 million K-12 students out of school in response to the COVID-19 virus. Some school districts and states will not re-open schools until the next school year starts in the fall.
The school buildings WILL re-open. But, will the district’s facilities be ready?
What are school districts doing to prepare school buildings so students, teachers, and the community return to healthy and safe environments? Here are questions for school districts to consider:
Is there a school district plan to prepare school buildings for the return of students and teachers and has it been communicated to staff and community?
Are schools being decluttered of long unused materials, books and technology so custodians can deep clean and disinfect?
What methods and products will be used to deep clean and disinfect schools in your district?
What guidelines has the school district provided for the safety and protection of building custodians and maintenance workers during cleaning and repair work?
While schools are vacant, will districts evaluate and assess facilities for urgently needed indoor health and safety projects (such as for asbestos & lead hazards)?
Will districts do routine and urgently needed maintenance and repairs in vacant schools before deep cleaning and ahead of students and staff returning?
Will districts do any capital building projects, to make schools healthier and safer? For example: mechanical system improvements for better air quality; new restroom fixtures and drinking fountains that have sensors to limit hand to hand transmission of germs; and/or asbestos and lead abatement?
When will the school district report back to the school community on what was done in each school so it is ready for healthy and safe occupancy?
Districts with resources and leadership to use during these trying times to improve the conditions in our school facilities will ensure district schools are healthier and safer when they reopen. For guidance on preparing our nation’s school facilities for the return of students and community use once the pandemic subsides and it is safe again to gather in groups; here are federal and state resources that may be helpful:
Federal Guidance
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
CDC’s COVID-19 Consideration for Schools - Updated May 19, 2020
CDC’s Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations. Provides recommendations on the cleaning and disinfection of school facilities for COVID-19: https://bit.ly/3akx0ff
CDC’s Interim Guidance for Administrators of U.S. Childcare Programs and K-12 Schools to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): https://bit.ly/2vMaKfq
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA provides a list of disinfectants for use against COVID-19 and also a frequently asked question section on disinfectants and COVID-19: https://bit.ly/33TzcIj
U.S. Department of Education (ED)
COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel
Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center (REMS) provides a infectious disease planning guide and other specialized training materials: https://rems.ed.gov/Docs/Zip%20Files/Infectious_Diseases.zip
The Office of Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA provides guidance on COVID-19 control and prevention for workers and the environments they work in: https://bit.ly/2UiKjYb
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
The Department of Homeland Security released guidance on workers who are essential to critical infrastructure. (revised May 26, 2020)
State Level Guidance
Kentucky Department of Education - COVID-19 Updates and Information for P-12 Education
Kentucky Department of Education - COVID-19 Considerations for Reopening Schools
Initial Guidance for Schools and Districts
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
The Department of Defense Department of Education Activities (DoDEA) has schools in South Korea which they are carefully reopening. They have developed protocols for reopening their schools following the corona virus outbreak in Korea.