FREEDOM, Wis (NBC 26) -- School districts across northeast Wisconsin are starting to prepare for the potential spread of the coronavirus. Today NBC26 spoke to leaders of two local school districts to find out what can be done if the worst-case scenario becomes reality.
At Freedom Elementary school district leaders are breaking out their newest and latest forms of bacteria-fighting tools, just in case, they need them in the near future.
"We don't know where it's going to go for sure and I think there's a little fear of the unknown. But what do you do? You prepare for the worst and hope," says Kevin Kilstofte the District Administrator of the Freedom Area Public School District.
On Wednesday janitorial staff broke out their new UV light system that is designed to kill bacteria. Staff says the light can be rolled into any room where a child potentially came down with a contagious illness.
"We put it in there overnight and let it work in the room, the UV type light," adds Kilstofte.
And beyond the UV light bacteria killer in use, janitors are also starting to disinfect surfaces with electrostatic spraying tools that are electrically charged. But district leaders at Freedom say they also have to plan for a worst-case scenario if the coronavirus does enter northeast Wisconsin.
"Things such as how we would provide curriculum should the state or local health agencies say we need to shut down," says Kilstofte.
But the Freedom Area School District isn't alone with their concerns. In Green Bay school officials have started preparing a pandemic plan as well. Michelle Langenfeld, the Green Bay Area School District’s Superintendent says she is letting staff members know what their roles would be as well if a potential outbreak happened.
"This is about planning and preparation. And as the person from the Department of Public Instruction shared with me, we are at a good place in our state to be able to prepare and be ready."
So what can parents do as their children's schools get ready? Well, district leaders say they can update their emergency contact lists for them, find an emergency child care center now, and above all keep their children home from school if they start feeling under the weather.
