RISON - The Woodlawn School District is sanitizing elementary and high school classrooms again this week to help combat the spread of illnesses across the campus, Superintendent Dr. Kevin Hancock said.That and some updates regarding grant applications for the district were among the topics discussed during the Woodlawn School Board's regular monthly meeting Monday night.Hancock said he informed the school board that illness had forced several students to miss school last week, noting that about 30 to 50 students were absent from elementary this week. Woodlawn High School boys basketball coach Logan Adair reported last week the had several of his players miss one or both of their games last week due to flu or a stomach virus. While the student numbers have rebounded since the peak last week, Hancock said it is now starting to impact the teaching staff, which prompted him to have the classrooms disinfected again this week after them fogged last week as well.Much of Hancock's report to the school board revolved around ongoing efforts to secure grant money for various projects around campus.Hancock said the district is submitting a written notice of its intention to pursue a federal Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant offered through FEMA to build a safe room on campus.BRIC grants can be used for projects that reduce or eliminate risks and damages from future natural hazards; increase resilience and public safety; and protect critical services, infrastructure and facilities.Hancock said he would like to use the BRIC grant to build a safe room on campus that could protect students and staff during a tornado or other high wind events. A safe room uses reinforced concrete walls and roofs to protect against winds of up to 250 mph, according to the FEMA guidelines.Should the district receive the funding, Hancock said it would be used for a stand-alone building and would not be incorporate into any...
To access content, please login or purchase a subscription.