Tulsa Public Schools is fast-tracking some bond improvements because of the COVID-19 pandemic in an attempt to make things safer when students return.
The TPS Board last week approved spending $95,000 to buy 80 drinking fountains with bottle fillers, enough to ensure at least one at every school in the district. Officials hope the fountains will reduce contact with drinking spouts and help limit the spread of the coronavirus.
TPS Executive Director of Bond Projects and Energy Management Chris Hudgins said because they’re an expense connected to the pandemic, the district will seek Federal Emergency Management Agency funding for them.
"So, we’re going to try to get some matching dollars for this, but we have to fund it up front and then maybe there’s some reimbursement money out there," Hudgins said.
TPS is also expediting installation of new heating and air systems at 15 sites, work originally expected to take several years.
"We are planning on starting Oct. 1, and our goal is to be complete by Jan. 1 with these 15 sites," Hudgins said.
The systems will be installed at Burroughs, Eugene Field, Hamilton, Hawthorne, Mayo, Lewis and Clark, Sequoyah and Skelly elementary schools; Carver and Memorial middle schools; Phoenix Rising; Project Accept; Ross Child Nutrition; Street School; and the Skelly Primary building.
The Environmental Protection Agency warns addressing indoor air circulation and filtering alone is not enough to protect people from the coronavirus, and people should continue to wear masks and take other steps.
TPS is in distance learning for at least the first nine weeks of the school year.