Melcher-Dallas Schools are currently experiencing a high rate of student absenteeism due illness. A total of 23% of the students at the junior high and high school were out sick, and 15% of the students at the elementary were out sick Thursday.

M-D officials state they have been doing additional cleaning and disinfecting, but the numbers continue to rise. Thursday, the number of students absent from the elementary school doubled. 

M-D is also experiencing staffing shortage due to illness. The school decided to cancel on Thursday, December 15th and Friday, December 16th. 

Scott Bridges, Melcher-Dallas School Superintendent tells KNIA/KRLS News this wasn’t for COVID and it is not the first time he has had to call school off for a high rate of illness. “This was mostly for influenza, but we have some strep throat and some other like smaller RSV cases going around as well.”

Officials hope the long weekend will have a positive impact and they can break the cycle and stop the spread of these illnesses.