Southeast Missouri school considers shutting down due to high number of absences

KENNETT, Mo. -- More than 60 students at Kennett Middle School were sent home on Wednesday with "flu-like symptoms," prompting school officials to debate the possibility of temporarily shutting down school.

According to Superintendent Jerry Noble, a high number of absences was reported throughout the district on Wednesday, with more than 100 students absent from middle school, approximately 70 absent from high school, and about 30 absent at South Elementary. Noble said attendance at Masterson has not fluctuated more than usual.

With a total of 61 students being sent home at the middle school, combined with the high number of absent students, which may or may not be illness-related, Noble said the district may temporarily shut the district down in the next few days.

"We have been advised by the state, if at all possible, not to dismiss school," Noble said. "We are going to try to ride out the next couple of days and make a decision then. Normally, we would have already let school out."

Noble said approximately five staff members at the high school have also gone home with "flu-like symptoms."

Noble said that as of now, the district has had no issues getting substitutes, but it may become an issue if more staff members are affected.

"If it starts going through the staff, we may have a problem," Noble said.

Health Services Director Deb Cook said the district is implementing state recommended procedures to help prevent the spread of a possible illness.

"At the beginning of the year, we did staff education," Cook said. "We knew this was going to happen so we educate the staff then. We did classroom presentations, K through fifth-grade, to talk to them about how to cover your cough, cover your sneeze, washing hands."

Cook said hand sanitizing stations have been set up around various parts of the campus, such as prior to entering the cafeteria, and teachers are encouraged to let students sanitize their hand or wash their hands frequently.

"The teachers have supplies and are encouraged to clean their desks every day in their classroom," Cook said, noting that the "frequently touched areas" are being cleaned frequently.

"Custodians are increasing the amount of time they spend cleaning," Cook continued.

Cook said that if a student is sent home with a fever, they are encouraged to stay away from school until they have been fever-free for 24-hours.

"If they have a temp of 101 today, we don't want them to come back tomorrow," Cook said.

Pertinent address:

510 College Ave, Kennett, Mo.