School is back in session today across North Carolina, although many districts are not physically starting the school year in the classroom.

If and when students return to schools, there will be new cleaning and safety measures in place due to COVID-19.

At the last Wayne County Board of Education Meeting, WCPS Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tim Harrell gave an update on the district’s efforts to secure cleaning and sanitation supplies.

Harrell says of the resources are in place to start school, including safety items such as hand sanitizers, wipes, masks and thermometers.

However, as of the August 5 board meeting, the district was still waiting to receive some additional sanitation machines which would be used every afternoon in each school.

The state has provided five washable masks for students and staff members to start the school year.

When asked about custodial positions, Dr. Harrell shared that the district currently has nine vacancies.

Wayne County Public Schools are starting the first three weeks of the 2020-2021 school year with remote learning, with the exception of Wayne School of Engineering and Wayne Early/Middle College High School which are using the hybrid model of in-person and remote instruction.