Flu-like illness closes suburban KC district

LONE JACK, Mo. -- Students in a suburban Kansas City school district are getting an extra-long Thanksgiving break after an outbreak of a flu-like illness.

The Lone Jack School District is canceling classes today and Tuesday. That will allow buildings to be vacant for nine days.

Officials in Lone Jack say the outbreak began about two weeks ago. Superintendent Bryan Prewitt said in a statement posted online that custodians have worked to clean and sanitize the buildings.

But he said the illness continues to spread despite those efforts.

Children who attend day-care programs at the school also will be affected by the closure.