TPS Invests In Safety Measures To Protect Students Against COVID-19

Tulsa Public Schools has adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by taking steps to manage air quality in the school buildings and purchasing new water fountains.

The Board of Education will vote on two issues related to their COVID-19 safety plan at Monday night’s Board of Education meeting. 

The district will now prepare for when students return to the classroom. 

“We’re trying to improve the spaces that we have and we’re doing everything that we possibly can and we’re listening to experts," said Chris Hudgins, Executive Director of bond and energy management with Tulsa Public Schools. 

The board will vote on adding energy management controls that will help improve air quality at 15 campus buildings. Hudgins said the goal is to bring outside air into the classroom. 

“Our goal is to purge the classroom two hours prior to a school starting and then two hours after so what we would be doing is bringing in outside air," he said. 

The board will also vote on adding new water fountains with water bottle fillers. If passed, each school will be able to have a fountain that can fill up a water bottle, handsfree. 

“Everybody can have their personalized bottles and you can go up hands free and not have to touch anything and it will automatically fill the bottle," Hudgins said. 

While the district is continuing to adapt to the pandemic, Hudgins said the goal remains to keep staff and students safe. 

“Cleaning the school and keeping everything as clean as possible and trying to prevent as many touches," he said.