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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

California School District : Hand Sanitizer Dispenser Program Yields Cost Saving Dividends: Reduces Absenteeism

REDLANDS - Hand sanitizer dispensers throughout Redlands Unified School District just may be paying off, as schools have seen a rise in attendance rates.

"It definitely looks like there's a correlation between the hand sanitizers and the increase in attendance," said Vincent Christakos, assistant superintendent, business services.

Attendance within the district has increased about a half percent from January 2008 through January or February, Christakos said. The increase is significant, he said.

"I'm not sure what is directly attributable to the increase in attendance, but the hand sanitizers are something different we've done in the past year, and they definitely are a factor," Christakos said.

"I was encouraged after speaking with the superintendent (Lori Rhodes)," said Paul Barich, the master mind behind bringing the dispensers to the district. "She said there was about a 1 percent increase in attendance. That doesn't sound like a lot, but when you're talking about 18,000 kids, an increase like that is significant."

"A couple years ago, a nurse friend mentioned that Sacred Heart had them in its school and wouldn't it be nice if we could get them in public schools," said Barich, owner

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