More Than $500K Spent On School Preperations

Breken Terry shows why more staff is needed in the plan to keep students safe during the pandemic.

Learning devices.

Today, the franklin county school system told us it spent more than half a million dollars to hire more staff and prepare its schools.

Waay31's breken terry shows us why more staff members are needed in the plan to keep students safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

I'm here inside of belgreen school in franklin county and the superintendent tells me they plan on hiring about 30 additional staff members to help cut down the sizes of classrooms so students can socially distance.

<hamilton- you'll see smaller classrooms this year.

Smaller group sizings and a lot of social distancing measures.

Those types of things.

Franklin county schools superintendent greg hamilton said some schools in the district often put an entire grade in one classroom.

This year, it's limiting class size to 15 to 20 kids.

Hamilton- we will use every bit of space we can find.

Whether that's outdoor space, gymnasium where ever we can keep them separated.

Plexi glass patricians are up in common areas and hand sanitizer dispensers line the walls.

Hamilton said the district partnered with volunteer fire departments and community centers to offer free wifi to students who take the virtual route.

Hamilton- it's been difficult.

To say it's been a challenge is an under statement.

Especially putting together a remote plan that's best for our students when we have such limited wifi access.

Belgreen principal brianne roberts told me every school system needs the same supplies to make back to school work.

That's causing some issues.

Roberts- everybody is trying to get the same materials so chrome books are on back order were just trying to get our name on the list and get them in as quick as we can.

We're looking at ordering different brands that we normally wouldn't purchase or maybe looking at tablets instead of chrome books for other options as well.

Look live tag: all students in franklin county will start school on august 20th.

In franklin co bt waay31.> there will not be a staggered restart for students.

Hamilton said students who have the means will use their personal tablets or computers to do class work remotely if they choose virtual school.

Parents have until august 7- th to tell the district if they will choose traditional or virtual school.

Ordered they are now looking at other options.