January 28, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
DeKalb County Schools will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Monday after school officials say there is widespread sickness and concern over spread of the illness which includes the flu, strep throat, and stomach viruses.
“Absenteeism has recently grown each day throughout the school system and reached 12% on Tuesday and its not only students but several teachers have been out sick,” said Joey Reeder, Attendance Supervisor for the DeKalb School System.
Percentages of attendance at each school in the county Tuesday were as follows: DCHS 88.59%, DeKalb Middle School 86.85%, Northside Elementary School 91.10%, Smithville Elementary School 90.92%, DeKalb West School 84.34%, and District-wide 88.1%.
“Before making the decision to close schools we talked to various health care professionals to get their opinions and they said the spread of the illness had not yet peaked and probably would take at least up to five days for it to run its course,” Reeder added.
The school calendar includes thirteen days that can be used for inclement weather or sickness without any makeup days. After Monday, eight days will be left to use this school year.