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South Umpqua SD 19 staff say high school closed after spike in student illness
Summary
District staff told the board the high school was closed last week after an unusually high rate of student illness, reporting about 57% absenteeism; staff also said other schools and several staff were affected and coverage remains a challenge.
At a South Umpqua SD 19 board meeting, a staff member reported the district closed its high school last week after a sudden spike in student illness that left many students absent. "57 percent was the actual total number of students that was out on Wednesday or Thursday," the staff member said, describing the closure as a difficult decision.
The staff member told trustees the outbreak was concentrated in the district and affected multiple schools, including the middle school (Crockett Berry) and sites in Canyonville and St. John's. They said a number of staff also were out, which created challenges in covering classes. The board discussed outreach the district made to neighboring superintendents, who reported similar illnesses but not the same level of closures locally. The staff member said the district is working to ensure staff coverage and maintain instruction while monitoring attendance and health trends.
