Green Country School Districts Start Receiving Shipments Of PPE

Green Country school districts are starting to get boxes of protective gear for students and staff from the state.

This is part of Governor Kevin Stitt's push to help schools re-open safely this fall.

About two dozen public districts in Tulsa County, plus some private schools, will get this first round of PPE shipments. The governor's office said they're working with local emergency managers to get these out quickly.

Hundreds of boxes full of masks, gloves, and gowns fill the River Spirit Expo Center. Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Joseph Kralicek says it's about three semi-trucks of gear.

"We're looking easily at 60 pallets worth of different masks, gowns, gloves all the different things the schools will require in order to stay safe," Kralicek said.

This is part of Governor Stitt's move to get $10 million of PPE to classrooms statewide.

Broken Arrow Schools and two other districts picked up gear Friday afternoon. BAPS leaders said earlier this week they were relying on this shipment to start classes on September 3.

"The last bulk of PPE that's supposed to be coming from the governor's office, or from the state, we've got to have that, because we need to be able to provide that for our students," BAPS Superintendent Janet Vinson said.

More districts will come get their PPE on Monday. Kralicek said it's a major operation to get the gear rolling out and in place for students and teachers.

"Over 20 independent school districts within Tulsa County, as well as the area charter schools, all of them have needs in order to make sure their children are able to have the materials they need in order to come back safely," Kralicek said.