The Union-Endicott School District will soon be testing 434 people each week.

“So basically, we have these two elementary schools, a middle school, and two high schools. The total of students, teachers, and staff is 2,170,” said Union-Endicott School District Superintendent Nicole Wolfe.

The testing is due to a state mandate in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Broome County, which is currently in the yellow zone.

“So they do want us to test 20 percent of each school, but they did tell us there would be flexibility in numbers with students, staff, and faculty," Wolfe said. "So if we had a high number of staff will to test, we could make lest students. They really want us to reach that mandate which is currently 434."

The district will be required to test 20 percent of each of the four schools marked in the yellow zone, according to the state. Those schools include Charles F. Johnson Elementary School, George F. Johnson Elementary School, Jennie F. Snapp Middle School, and Union-Endicott High School.

The district is searching for a partner to conduct testing.

“You can test one student or one staff member in 15 minutes. We’re going to have to figure out how to deploy our resources to figure out how to reach this mandate. The state is aware that that can be a challenge for us,” said Wolfe.

Testing will start this coming week.

“My biggest concern at this point is that we have to do our best to reach that number by next Friday," Wolfe said. "But we don’t have the machines yet from the state. We don’t have the machines yet, the lab materials, or a community partner on board. So my biggest concern is really being able to have everyone coming together to make this happening and reaching that number by next Friday."

The district is making testing voluntary for both students and faculty.

“We just put this out yesterday we already have 500 participants by now and we’re doing really well," Wolfe said. "I’m really proud of our students, faculty, and staff because they’re stepping up and just realizing this is something we just have to do."

The district will continue testing until the county is out of the yellow zone.