Spokane Public Schools is attempting to emphasize clean buildings and a clear communication system as coronavirus spreads in Washington.

However, neither effort has gotten off to a spotless start.

Custodial staffing is still below levels established before last year’s budget crisis, while the district has clarified a misleading Facebook post that gave the false impression that teachers and staff had already been trained in how to handle COVID-19.

That isn’t the case, as several teachers responded that they’ve had no such training.

“I have not been trained, nor do we get hand sanitizer in the classrooms,” one teacher wrote. “Nor have I seen anyone cleaning handrails or doorknobs.”

Moreover, since last year’s budget cuts, there are fewer personnel on hand to clean those handrails and doorknobs.

However, the district is in the process of supplying more wipes, hand sanitizer and other cleaning supplies to all 54 buildings, according to spokesperson Ally Barrera.

“Our custodial staff is already making it a high priority to disinfect those high touch areas,” Barrera said in a statement.

“The doorknobs, the handrails, the faucets, those kinds of things when they get a chance – and right now, we are reinforcing that’s what they should be doing,” Barrera said.

Each building has a custodian who works during school hours. In addition, the district has 22 roaming staff custodians who back-fill absences and perform supplemental cleaning activities in response to special needs.

Meanwhile, the district is awaiting the delivery of a “wall-mounted hand sanitizer product” to be installed at “a few strategic locations” in each school. Delivery is expected “in a few days,” the statement said.

That isn’t intended as a “comprehensive nor a permanent solution,” the district said.

Also, the district is making an exception to a rule prohibiting the use of hand sanitizers, which can be a respiratory irritant to those with sensitivities.

Instead, hand sanitizers purchased or brought by staff will be allowed in all buildings.

Meanwhile, district Health Director Becky Doughty is holding daily meetings with representatives from all departments.

However, Barrera stressed that major decisions, such as a school closure, will be directed by the Spokane Regional Health District.

If a staff member sees someone with coronavirus symptoms, they’re urged to send them to the nurse’s office to separate them from other students and staff.

The district would then notify the health district and await further instruction.

If a case of the coronavirus is suspected at a school, SPS said it will work closely with the health district and follow its professional guidelines. And once a decision is made, the district will immediately notify families about the affected school.

In the event that a school needs to be closed down, custodians will disinfect the building and teachers would distribute instructional materials via Blackboard, Office 365, email or mail.