JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Duval County Public Schools voted unanimously to install transparent screens in classrooms that were not able to have a six-foot separation in between students.
The screens will be mounted to protect the transmission of COVID-19 germs. These screens will also allow students to remove masks from their faces for the majority of the school day.
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This source of supply contract provides for five types of screens. We have lightweight, less costly, transparent single and double panel screens made with clear plastic film and cardboard borders intended for use in most classrooms. The contract also provides for heavyweight, more costly, transparent single and double panel screens made of plexiglass which can be used where greater durability is needed for various reasons. The contract also provides for plexiglass shields to be used in admin areas where needed.
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The $4,000,000 will be taken from a special fund used to specifically address COVID-19 costs. The money will reimbursed through the CARES Act.
There has not been a final decision for how many screens will be ordered. Superintendent Diana Greene says they are focused on elementary schools getting the screens first due to the difficulty of mandating face masks on that age range.
Screens will be installed all throughout July and the first week of August.
“Everything that we are doing is just trying to create one other barrier of safety for our students and staff,” Greene said.
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