CARROLL COUNTY, Kentucky — Carroll County Schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday because of illness among staff and students, a spokesperson from the district said.
They say school will also be closed on Monday, Sept. 2 in recognition of the Labor Day holiday and school will start back on Tuesday.
"We certainly appreciate everyone's efforts in trying to keep our system up and running smoothly, but we have come to the point that it is not sustainable for everyone's health and safety," Superintendent Casey Jaynes said.
Athletic events will continue since those events cannot be rescheduled, officials said. However, in a late night update from the district, a spokesperson said they have canceled its varsity football game against KCD that was scheduled for Friday.
Athletes should have limited access to inside areas such as locker rooms and the gym.
"Please take this opportunity over this long weekend to get well and rested," Jaynes said.
On Thursday, the school district released a statement clarifying their reasons for closing school.
"The decision to close school was a collaborative effort between the central office and school administration," the statement said.
They say student attendance dropped to 88% from Monday to Wednesday. Staff attendance dropped to almost 75% on Wednesday and they say several staff members left school early because of illness.
The statement said when this many staff are ill, it becomes a safety concern and they have to combine classrooms which compromises the learning environment.
The two days will be added onto the calendar ad make-up days.
They say there is no solid data on the types of illnesses but they do have cases of RSV, Rhinovirus, colds, flu, allergies and some positive COVID-19 tests for those who have been tested.
The school also canceled the CCHS football game.
They say this decision was made for the safety of the players. Several players were injured or have been ill and "have not had the opportunity to prepare for the contest."
The district also said "there are no protocols for any of these illness other than following what your doctor prescribes."
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