K-12 Schools Across Ozarks Region Disinfect Rooms, Monitor Absences

KSMU | By Shannon Noonan

Published March 11, 2020 at 8:30 PM CDT

If Proposition S passes, Williams Elementary School on West Kearney Street in Springfield will see renovation and the addition of an early childhood education "mini-hub" where kids could attend free preschool.

Several K-12 schools in the Ozarks region are taking preventive measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Stephen Hall, a spokesman for Springfield Public Schools, says many of the prevention measures are similar to those taken in the typical peak flu season.

Hall says SPS is educating students and their families about healthy habits.

The district’s custodial staff is frequently disinfecting common surfaces, he said. And the school is keeping track of students who are absent.

“That is standard procedure to monitor those ongoing absences and then work in coordination with the health department to assess if any special steps would need to be taken," Hall said.

Next week is Spring Break for Springfield Public Schools.

The West Plains School District is practicing many of the same measures as Springfield.

Lana Snodgras, a spokeswoman for the district, said West Plains is also doing extra disinfecting.

Both districts encourage students to frequently wash their hands, avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth, and stay home when they are sick.

So far, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Ozarks region.