Illness Affects Local School Attendance, Closures

Usual winter illnesses along with the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected attendance at local public schools.

Both West Carroll and Hollow Rock-Bruceton schools closed on Thursday and Friday, January 20 and 21 closed due to excess absences of students and staff members. West Carroll is advertising for additional substitute teachers to join their ranks.

In McKenzie, Lynn Watkins, director of schools, said the system had an average of 170 students absent each day last week and approximately 15 to 20 staff members absent. That included by certified and non-certified staff, said the director. The number of absences are high, but not to the point of closing school. He said they will continue to monitor attendance.