I would imagine that being a school administrator these days is pretty high on the stressful jobs meter. A lot of school systems have serious money problems. Extracurricular programs get cut, and sometimes essential school services like busing have to be revamped. Parents get angry about these cuts, and they attend and loudly participate in school board meetings only to become fodder for local news stations.

There are a couple of things that school administrators and parents can agree on. The first thing is that kids need to stay in school. The ways that can be accomplished will always be the subject of debate, but that’s ok. The second thing is that kids need to be in a safe environment while they’re learning. (In addition to safety concerns in school, if they use transportation supplied by the school system, their safety has to addressed there, too.)

One franchise system has come up with a way to keep kids in school, and keep them safe while they’re in school, and while they’re on school busses.

Jan-Pro Systems, a commercial cleaning franchise out of Alpharetta, Georgia, recently signed an exclusive Agreement with EnviroSystems, Inc. (ESI), to offer a disinfecting product that helps fight harmful bacteria, including deadly MRSA. But, what’s so important about MRSA?

According to MRSA Survivors Network, more Americans die annually from invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infections than from HIV/AIDS, H1N1 influenza and Parkinson's disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an entire area on their website devoted to MRSA, including one just for school officials.

(Interestingly enough, I have a child attending her first year of high school, and I’ve never heard of MRSA. Maybe the MRSA Survivors Network needs some help with their PR.)

So, now that you know a little about MRSA, let’s see what Jan-Pro is doing: 

“Jan-Pro's EnviroShield Spray Disinfecting System offers high performance like nothing else available, in that the system combines a safe and efficacious disinfectant with an electrostatic sprayer. The sprayer nozzle adds an electrostatic negative charge to the disinfecting solution as it is applied, so that it actually surrounds and clings to the surface it touches.

The disinfecting agent used in the EnviroShield system is a product called EnviroTru(R), a multi-purpose disinfectant and deodorizing cleaner that meets all EPA requirements for Toxicity Category IV (no harmful dermal, ocular, inhalation or ingestion effects). Environmentally safe, EnviroTru requires no special handling, does not require protective clothing, gloves or special ventilation or biohazard disposal, is non-flammable, and poses no health risks or side effects.”

Press releases can be great resources for up to the minute announcements. They’re great marketing tools, also. Dare I say that they can be a little “fluffy,” sometimes?

If you’re anything like me, you like to see proof. Here it is:

“In Northeast Ohio, top-rated Solon Public Schools, known as one of the country’s leading school systems, is at the forefront of combating infectious disease.”

Now, I didn’t know that, (and I happen to live near Solon, Ohio) but, let’s continue, because I promised you proof.

“We use the Jan-Pro EnviroShield Disinfecting System in classrooms, locker rooms, and on our buses as a preventative, proactive measure to fight the many infections kids can pick up,” said Tom Stupica, Assistant Superintendent. “This disinfectant is powerful, and the electrostatic spray locks to surfaces, and reaches hard to get areas. Since we’ve gone to this disinfecting system, we’ve had no outbreaks of sickness, and that’s a statistic we’re very proud of at Solon.”

Now, that’s powerful stuff. (Both the disinfectant, and the fact that there’s been no sickness reported since the new system from Jan-Pro was implemented.)

I also learned that Jan-Pro is supplying this product to Cleveland State University, which has just completed construction of new residence halls and a recreation center. That sounds like a real nice account for the local franchise owner of Jan-Pro.

It seems that Jan-Pro has found an innovative, spray-on way to help kids stay in school, and stay healthy. This is great news for school systems, nationwide.

Have you ever heard of MRSA? Are you concerned about it?