High Point, Morgan County R-2 classes to dismiss due to flu

Due to recent outbreaks of flu and strep throat, the Morgan County R-2 School District will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. today and will be out of school Thursday and Friday. High Point R-3 School will have school today, but will be closed Thursday and Friday to fumigate and disinfect the school from the flu virus.

The Class 3 District 10 Tournament also will be moved from Versailles to Cole Camp for today's and Thursday's games. Game times will remain the same, but will be played at Cole Camp R-I School, 500 S. Keeney St., Cole Camp.

High Point R-3 Superintendent Toni Westbrooks said: "High Point R-III values the health and safety of our students and staff. The school board's policy is, 'When the building attendance rate hits 25 percent absenteeism due to illness, parents will be notified, and the building will close for 48 hours."

Westbrooks said the absenteeism rate began to climb during the past few days due to various illnesses, but it was not until Tuesday that the building absentee rate rose above the 25 percent threshold with several teachers home due to illness as well.

At that time, the board president was notified, and the policy was enacted.

"We remained open on Wednesday, February 29," Westbrooks said, "to give parents the time to find child care. On Wednesday, the absentee rate due to illness was recorded to be 47 percent. The building was wiped down thoroughly with disinfectant and now will be fumigated and washed down before the students return to school Monday.

"We hope that our students and staff will have time to recuperate with the additional days off," she said.

Earlier post ...

An outbreak of influenza in the Morgan County R-2 School District will result in the dismissal of classes at 12:30 p.m. today and cancellation of school on Thursday.

School officials said classes will resume Friday.

The Class 3 District 10 high school basketball tournament, which was scheduled to be held tonight in Versailles, has been moved to Cole Camp for tonight and Thursday. Game times will remain the same.

The Cole Camp high school is located at 500 St. Keeney St., Cole Camp.