WEST JORDAN — It’s not surprising that many teachers returning to Utah public schools this fall took the initiative to make acrylic barriers for tables or desks in their classrooms or purchased other personal protective equipment or cleaning supplies.
Many of them paid for the supplies out of their own pockets, something that didn’t sit well with the Jordan Board of Education.
“We’re not comfortable with that. We’re going to take care of our teachers,” said board President Bryce Dunford.
On Tuesday night, the board agreed to allocate each classroom teacher $500 to purchase classroom safety supplies or reimburse them for supplies and equipment they’ve already purchased, he said. The district also will allocate enrollment-based funding to schools to be used in other areas of schools such as offices, hallways or lunchrooms.
The $1.5 million expenditure, to be covered with Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding, will be ratified at the board’s meeting next week. The equipment purchased by teachers is meant to supplement equipment and supplies already provided by the school district and the state, Dunford said.
Schools will have broad discretion how to use the funding but since it is CARES Act money, it needs to be tied to enhancing safety and hygiene, he said.
As word spread of the board’s decision, many teachers have reached out to board members to express their gratitude, Dunford said.
“I think they’ve really appreciated the fact that they now have control over what they purchase,” he said.
Some teachers are “worriers” and want their classrooms equipped with air filtration systems and acrylic barriers between desks, Dunford said.
“Another teacher might say, ‘I’m not as concerned. I just want to make sure they wash their hands and wear their masks.’ So, whatever they need to feel safe, it’s in their hands,” he said.
The safety funding is in addition to the allocation teachers receive for classroom supplies.
School starts next week, which will test the reopening plans the board and district officials have been working on since in-person learning recessed in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dunford said the allocation is one way the school board and administration can demonstrate that they support educators as they start a school year like no other, he said.
“To me, it was worth the price tag just to calm teachers down and to let them know that we’re there. Whatever you need, we’ll provide it. We’re gonna get through this,” Dunford said.
April Gaydosh, principal of Westvale Elementary School in West Jordan, said the funding is an acknowledgement of educators’ efforts to reopen schools.
“They know it’s hard and that everybody’s working hard. I think it’s gonna be a really good morale boost,” Gaydosh said.
School starts Tuesday in Jordan School District’s elementary schools. Gaydosh said she believes the school district’s plans give families and teachers options and should help keep schools safe places to work and learn.
“I really do think that they (teachers) feel prepared, and I think they feel ready. It’s just going to be kind of a new normal and hopefully it will go well,” she said.