“ESPs are the first line of defense,” says LaPlante. “We are there first thing in the morning and the last at night and even in the best of circumstances, we are essential to student safety. With COVID we’re in unchartered waters. Now is not the time to cut back.”
They do have a stock of masks, disinfectants wipes and hand sanitizer, but the staff power is the necessary tool in the fight against spread.
LaPlante is a custodian at a high school, where studies just showed that students are just as likely to spread the virus as adults. High schools are also very large buildings with dozens of high-touch surfaces.
IEA Education Support Professional Council 