COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice announces all 55 county school systems have necessary PPE and cleaning supplies to safely begin academic year – West…

SCHOOL READINESS UPDATEDuring Fridays briefing, Gov. Justice explained that, over the past month, the West Virginia Department of Education surveyed all 55 county school systems to determine what PPE and cleaning supplies they had on-hand and what was still needed to begin the school year as safely as possible for students, teachers, service personnel, and local communities.

Working with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and the West Virginia National Guard, all counties have been contacted and supplies have now either been sent or are in the process of being distributed.

We can confidently, confidently say that all 55 counties will have what they requested in order to begin school, Gov. Justice said. As we go forward, we know were going to have more demand for equipment. But between the dollars that we have from a variety of grants, well be able to cover all of that demand.

As a reminder, Gov. Justice added that West Virginia county school districts have received more than $90 million from the federal and state government to use for school re-entry.

Additionally, the Governor announced that Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is making a donation of more than $500,000-worth of PPE and cleaning supplies to the WVDE, which will further ensure that these supplies are available to every classroom teacher in West Virginia.

I am thrilled about this because these supplies will help us be able to do more and more to help ensure the safety and wellness of our schools and our people, Gov. Justice said. On behalf of the Department of Education, the State of West Virginia, and all of us, we surely recognize and thank Highmark. Its a wonderfully generous donation.

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COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice announces all 55 county school systems have necessary PPE and cleaning supplies to safely begin academic year - West...