The district has disinfectant sprayers at every school thanks to federal funding (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

SAFE RETURN TO CLASS FUND

Federal funding helping SD73 keep students and staff safe during the pandemic

Nov 12, 2020 | 10:56 AM

KAMLOOPS — Thanks to about $5 million in federal funding, the Kamloops-Thompson School District has been able to make some critical investments to protect students and staff from COVID-19.

Last month, the district unveiled the disinfectant sprayers that are now at every school. It’s part of the federal government’s Safe Return to Class Fund. Half of the district’s share of $2 billion to schools across the country has been used on items like the sprayers. The other half of the money will be spent in the new year.

“All of it has to be alloted with respect to COVID-19 and what we’re doing to reduce the potential risk to our staff and students around COVID-19,” said SD73 Superintendent Terry Sullivan.

While there have been COVID cases at Lower Mainland schools and outbreaks in Kelowna, Kamloops schools still have zero positive cases to this point in the year. The district says the funding has been important for putting safe measures in place.

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“Obviously, we do have policies in place if we do end up seeing cases. It’s proportional. We’re starting to see more cases in the community, and as we see more cases in the community it increases the likelihood we’re going to see cases in schools, so this money is really going to help us,” noted Sullivan.