Wednesday afternoon Fayette County Schools Superintendent Manny Caulk released a statement saying that high-level sanitation procedures are in place and for now, schools are open as recommended by medical professionals. If Fayette County does have to close because of the Coronavirus then measures are in place for educational needs. Plans are are also in place for students who will need meals delivered. They are evaluating field trips. Here is the e-mail in its entirety.
Dear FCPS Families:
We are committed to keeping you up-to-date on any developments related to COVID-19 in our community. We remain in close collaboration with the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department and the mayor's office to ensure a unified response to this public health issue.
Officials with the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department have assured us that there is not a public health risk to our schools at this time, and do not recommend closures. Following the guidance about travel announced by the governor, we will be cancelling all out-of-state and international travel until further notice.
The following steps are being taken to support the health of students, staff and families:
Cleaning high traffic touch items several times daily. (including, but not limited to door knobs, water fountains, desk tops, table tops, restrooms, chrome books, printers, copiers, telephones, hand rails, chair arms and backs, entry way push bars/plates, office counter tops, pencil sharpeners, and breakroom appliances.)
Disinfecting all school buses daily.
Ensuring schools are fully stocked with cleaning supplies, soap, hand sanitizer and paper products.
Monitoring student and staff attendance throughout the day to stay ahead of absence trends.
Reaching out to families of medically fragile students to discuss accommodations.
Adjusting staffing assignments as needed for older employees or those with compromised immunity.
Increasing on-hand inventory of custodial supplies.
Working with families to curtail job placement, shadowing or internships in health-care facilities, including nursing homes and hospitals.
Encouraging students to use water bottles rather than drink directly from water fountains.
Reviewing in-state field trips and staff travel daily and cancelling trips to areas of increased risk.
As we have done in previous years, we are prepared to close schools if needed, but we have been advised by medical professionals that such a move is not warranted at this time.
Just in case, if school closure becomes an appropriate mitigation measure, we have prepared action plans to provide grade-appropriate educational activities and learning experiences for students. We also have a coordinated plan to deliver meals to students and keep our HealthFirst Bluegrass clinics open to provide care for our most vulnerable students and families. We are also prepared to ensure operational continuity of our business functions in the case of a community-wide shut down.
In the short term, the most important thing we can do is to help one another stay calm and take measured steps to keep our community healthy. We cannot stress often enough the importance of good handwashing and staying home when you are sick.
Thank you for your continued support as we face this evolving situation. We will continue to keep you posted.
Your Partner,
Manny Caulk
Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent