Illnesses hit county schools hard, force Centre to close
Staff writer
A high rate of illness among students and staff caused Centre schools to cancel classes and student activities Friday.
Superintendent Larry Geist said students and staff were afflicted with COVID-19, influenza types A and B, strep, stomach aches, and fevers.
“It began late last week but got worse this week,” Geist said Friday.
School officials are working to reschedule a high school basketball game against Canton-Galva.
“We probably wouldn’t have enough players to fill the team,” Geist said.
The school’s Jan. 28 game against Solomon also was postponed.
A total of 19 faculty and staff members and 53 students out sick on Thursday led Geist to call off classes Friday.
By Monday, only three faculty and 15 students were out, he said.
Not canceled Friday was an afternoon reception for the public to meet superintendent candidate Daniel Ackland. Ackland is an elementary principal at Garnett.
A meet and greet reception with candidate Amy Ricks was Tuesday. Ricks is superintendent of Bucklin Schools.
Hillsboro superintendent Clint Corby said his district also has had a sizable number of students out sick in recent days.
On Tuesday, about 75 out of the district’s 600 students were out sick, he said.
“It’s a little high, but we’ve been through it before,” Corby said.
Marion also reported illnesses but not at a concerning level.
Goessel schools have seen illnesses but not enough to cause concern, said a woman who said the district did “not want to be part of the article” when asked for her name.