MANATEE COUNTY, Fla.— In about week, 74 percent of children are expected to go back to brick-and-mortar schools in Manatee County, but cleaning supplies are limited. 

“This all goes back to the delay in purchasing, and the delay in shipping,” according to Todd Henson, Manatee County Schools director of maintenance and operations.

The schools have some supplies, but many of the items teachers need still have not arrived, Henson said.

The Manatee County School Board will meet again Tuesday evening, where Manatee County School Board member Charlie Kennedy expects members to possibly discuss a delay in the school’s start date.

In every room, teachers are supposed to have a gallon of hand sanitizer, an antibacterial spray bottle, and CDC-approved disinfectant wipes. Some of those supplies will likely come days after school starting, though.

“We are not 100 percent equipped to open, as of right now,” Kennedy said.  

The district indicated it has improved overall cleaning provided to the janitorial staff, despite the current lack of cleaning supplies for teachers. 

“We are just going to have to ask everybody…employees, parents, kids… stay open-minded, stay flexible,” Kennedy said. “We are all working on this together.”