$1.25 Million in COVID-19 Fund to be Allocated to Volusia County Schools for More PPE.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

With schools having been in session since August 31, it was only a matter of time before they began running out of funds for the recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

With the threat of COVID-19 still present, school board member Linda Cuthbert decided to ask for some help from the district’s friend, the Volusia County Council.

The council unanimously voted to allocate $1.25 Million to the school district to help it pay for needed PPE gear for the rest of the school year – things like face masks and shields, disposable gloves, hand sanitizer, and disposable wipes.

The personal gear and cleaners are needed to continually clean and disinfect school facilities and protect against the spread of the coronavirus.

The $1.25 million the County Council approved on Tuesday will help with the costs for all of that PPE equipment, estimated to be approximately $4.6 million for the entire school year. Both governments already collaborate on a wide range of other issues that include emergency shelters, public safety, and the use of school buses.

“We are going through it quickly,” Linda Cuthbert told council members. “We need to always work together.”