The flu season is in full swing and area schools are feeling the effects. Absenteeism rates have continued to climb over the past week although there are no plans at this time for any school closings.
At Mountain Home, the area’s largest school district, the absenteeism rate was up again Monday according to superintendent Dr. Jake Long.
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Long says they have been taking extra precautions to help keep germs to a minimum.
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A check of other school districts in the immediate area found similar numbers as Mountain Home. Cotter’s absenteeism rate was at 12 percent Monday with 89 students out. Norfork had 46 students miss school Monday which is 10 percent. At Flippin, 125 students missed school Monday which is 13.6 percent. Yellville-Summit reported 82 students out sick Monday which is near 10%. Calico Rock reported 20 students out Monday which is just over 10 percent. At Viola, 40 students missed class Monday which is 10 percent. At Gainesville, the numbers are better with 6 percent out at the elementary and 5.5 percent at the high school. Bakersfield’s numbers have been the lowest in the area which superintendent Amy Britt attributes to their four-day school week.
Most superintendents say they don’t have a set number to start thinking about calling off classes but for most it’s around 20 percent absenteeism rate. Another factor is staff absenteeism rates and the ability to get substitutes.
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