SDE distributes hand sanitizer, masks for schools across Idaho

BOISE - This week the State Department of Education distributed thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer and thousands of masks to school districts in Idaho to help protect vulnerable populations when school resumes.

"School safety has always been a huge part of our mission, but it has taken on additional meaning during this pandemic," Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra said. "I am thrilled that we can distribute hand sanitizer and face masks to districts and schools throughout the state to make our schools safer, healthier spaces."

Seven 330-gallon drums of hand sanitizer and 100,000 masks were delivered to sites in all six of Idaho's education regions, with pick-up days scheduled Monday through Wednesday, June 29-July 1. Two distribution sites, each with a drum of sanitizer, were established in Region 3. Schools and districts filled containers ranging from five-gallon buckets to empty shampoo bottles, to transport the sanitizer.

The final distribution events - open to school districts but not the general public - are scheduled for Wednesday in Regions 4 and 5, with a second Region 1 session planned next week.

Masks and sanitizer are distributed on a first come, first served basis, and most of the sites Monday and Tuesday handed out all available supplies. The SDE is looking into holding another distribution event in August.

Lance Hansen, assistant superintendent of the Lewiston School District, pumps hand sanitizer into containers Monday for schools in Region 2.