In the ongoing effort to protect students and staff during the COVIC-19 pandemic, the Parkland School Board approved purchasing 10 disinfecting machines from Global Cleaning Services for $101,000.

Director of Communications Nicole McGalla reports the school board will have a retreat in July to discuss options for the 2020-21 school term.

“We will present a return to school framework no later than Aug. 1,” McGalla said.

She noted the start of school has been moved to Aug. 31 this year.

McGalla said lost instructional days will need to be made up, and the earlier start will provide “wiggle room” to work in missed time.

She said during a recent online committee meeting, several parents spoke in favor of having school come back to 100 percent, as it was before the COVID-19 shutdown.

McGalla explained parents are concerned about the mental health of their children and would like them to be with their peers in a normal school environment with social interaction.

Whatever instructional plan is determined, the district will provide an e-Learning option for anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable going to school, McGalla said.

In other matters, the board approved the purchase of advanced placement instructional materials for biology at $15,815; psychology $32,220; world history at $13,552; and comparative government at $11,308.

Under the heading of technology, the board approved phone system upgrades from Integra One at a cost of $32,233 and workstations and monitors for the high school from Dell EMC at a cost of $36,247.

On a different topic, the board approved relocation of overhead wires along Schantz and Twin Ponds roads at a cost of $18,017.

The project is necessary due to road improvements at the new Veterans Memorial Elementary School in Upper Macungie.