Sanitizing and cleaning the classrooms in Carthage ISD is a top priority with the return to school quickly approaching. The answer to the growing need for enhanced cleaning methods comes in the form of a new innovation that is revolutionizing the world of sanitation: electrostatic machines.
Carthage ISD has purchased brand new electrostatic machines to help sanitize surfaces across the district. These machines spray a disinfectant mist that envelopes all surfaces it lands on. The machines look very similar to paint sprayers, but with a cleaning solution instead of paint. Due to the solution being sprayed onto surfaces in such a fine mist, disinfecting every nook and cranny is more effective.
The custodial staff will continue with sanitizing routines currently in place and will add the use of these machines in order to provide another layer of protection.
“The machines, and our cleaning methods already in place, will act as a ‘double whammy’,” Executive Director of Maintenance and Operations Renee Risinger shared. “We will clean everything first, as we always do, and then spray the machine so it engulfs every surface. We’ll have this routine every single day in every single area that our students and staff will be in. There won’t be an area that will be left untouched by these machines. We’ll even go down the hallways with them.”
The machines will not only be used in classrooms and on campuses, but also on the buses as they return from transporting students. Bus drivers will first wipe down surfaces at the end of each shift and then the electrostatic machine will be used.
“We will have someone on staff here every afternoon when the buses come in who will use the machine,” Risinger said. “The portable machines will allow us to get into the tight spots on the buses in order to ensure every surface is cleaned.”
CISD did not have machines like this prior to the outbreak of COVID-19. The world-wide pandemic caused Risinger to dig deep and conduct research on what methods would be best used for sanitation.
“Everyone is having to be so innovative in these uncertain times and the company that we found these machines through is one of them,” shared Risinger. “They took paint sprayers, changed the insides of the machine, and created this clever device.”
Implementing the use of these new machines will not be where the sanitation routine ends. The custodians will be on hand to wipe down high-volume areas and surfaces throughout the day while students and staff are on campus. High-volume areas are characterized as places such as the front offices and common areas, as well as door handles throughout the entire campus.
“These machines will help us take the sanitation at each campus to the next level,” Director of Custodians Freddie Castleberry reported. “We are in a whole new world and our custodians will be stepping up to the plate to make sure the students have a safe and clean place in which to learn.”
Another step in the new routine is to install hand sanitizer dispensers across the campuses in various locations.
“We are putting hand sanitizer dispensers in every classroom, hallways and offices,” Risinger said. “Anyone can walk right up to them and have the hand sanitizer squirt out. We want them stationed in several places around the campus for the students and adults.”
Summer school began on June 29th and that has allowed the custodians and bus drivers the chance to begin implementing the new sanitation routine. The electrostatic machines are currently being used in the summer school rooms at the end of each day. Further, all transportation vehicles used for summer school are being sanitized using the new machines. Continuing this routine will be the top priority when school resumes on August 12th.
“This effort to enhance sanitation is going to involve everyone,” Risinger stated. “It’s going to take the custodians, bus drivers, teachers and administrators. It’s going to be all hands on deck to keep everything sanitized and clean. We are going to all work together to do everything we can to make sure our campuses are safe for all Bulldogs.”