MONROE — School District of Monroe Director of Building and Grounds Rich Zentner wasn’t in attendance at the regular school board meeting July 13 but with the help of Business Administrator Ron Olson and plans sent in, an overview of what things would look like was presented. 

According to the custodial plan, Zentner said he felt that no additional hires would be needed to keep up with cleaning as students attempt to return in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the need for overtime and possible use of substitute custodians could be a reality. 

Battery powered back pack vacuums, back pack electrostatic sprayers for disinfecting and riding scrubbers have been purchased. The school has also purchased 55-gallon drums of sanitizer, along with signage and plexiglass shields and barriers for each building. 

Water fountains will be turned off within the buildings unless they have bottle fillers, which can be utilized. Soft textured items will be removed in some classrooms, like rugs, chairs and couches. Hard surfaces have a better chance of being disinfected properly. 

However, Zentner’s note said they didn’t think it would be possible to effectively clean playground equipment or other outside structures after use. 

“We do not feel that this will be good for the equipment long term and would not be even possible between each child’s usage,” Zentner wrote.