By ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With a new state executive order coming down the pike mandating masks in public schools, many are scrambling to find enough protective gear for their teachers and students as the school year starts.
“Something that is coming down the pike that is going to change for those schools is, before they were able to request any supplies through the county including masks and face coverings, anything they could not readily get,” Adam Weishaar, emergency management director, said. “Since the past week, it’s not quite as easy for school districts to request supplies through the county.”
Weishaar says the new stance on PPE availability will also apply to other entities.
“This same rule applies to long-term care facilities,” Weishaar said. “So to be able to request anything through the county and in turn through the state, they have to prove that they tried to get it through a private vendor.”
Hutchinson USD 308 Director of Operations Randy Norwood says they have reached out to numerous companies to find masks, but it has been a challenge.
“It’s going to be close to get enough masks on hand to meet the needs of both our students and staff,” Norwood said. “We’ve placed orders with several different vendors trying to get our resources in line here in the district, but it’s going to be a challenge.”
Weishaar says things will get further complicated by the state leaning toward having school districts and nursing care facilities fend for themselves when it comes to securing masks.
“I think that’s something we’re going to see more of soon, is the state will not be supporting our school district or long-term care facilities quite like they were in the past,” Weishaar said. “They’re wanting them to take care of themselves (rather) than relying on the county and the state for that.”
Norwood says with the possible shortage he’s asking that parents and guardians of students take matters into their own hands by securing masks for their children.
“A lot of parents already have masks for their children. I’ve been around town and a number of locations and I see moms and dads out with their kids. And a lot of kids grade school age are all wearing a mask,” Norwood said. “If they (parents or guardians) have a resource for that, I would encourage them to look into that and try to provide their own personal masks.”
Norwood says the district is also looking to secure funding to make mass purchases of masks for teachers and students.