WTHR |Schools struggle with high absenteeism
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Hamilton and Marion Counties - Schools across central Indiana are seeing a spike in flu-like activity. Absenteeism is hitting 30 percent in some cases.
It's been tough week at IPS School 15. Absenteeism topped 20 percent. Friday, 13 teachers were sick and stayed home. With only three substitutes available, the principal moved specialty teachers into the vacant classrooms.
Anticipating an emergency, the IPS elementary school required teachers to have a week's worth of lessons planned in advance.
"Lesson plans were there, sub plans were there, so we pick up and run with it," said Justin Hunter, IPS 15 principal. "We keep moving. Students that are here keep getting served. Teachers here fill in for colleagues."
Flu and a variety of other illness are running through schools. Administrators say absenteeism across IPS has been increasing all week.
"There is not a lot you can do," said Rae Willis.
A school nurse for 21 years, Willis says it's the worst flu season she's seen.
"With what we've seen this week, it will probably go up next week," Willis said.
Broad Ripple High School joined the growing number of schools with absenteeism topping 20 percent.
At Fall Creek Intermediate School in Fishers, absenteeism jumped over night from 20 percent to 30 percent. Other schools in the district aren't as severely effected. Carmel High School's rate is 16 percent.
"It's been spiking. In other schools it goes down and another it goes up. You are chasing the flu around the district," said Mike Beresford, director of student services. "Three to four days after the spike, attendance starts to improve and kids get back to school."
Despite the spread of influenza, public schools intend to stay open, following a Centers for Disease Control recommendation they don't close until absenteeism becomes so high that it interferes with the school's ability to function.
"Although 20 percent of kids, 300, are out, 600 are here and healthy and we continue education," Beresford said.
Greg Steele, an epidemiologist at the IU School of Medicine, says closing school does not stop the spread of a virus.
"You may close one school, but you may have siblings that are in other schools that are open, so the possibility of spreading the illness is still there," he said.
Meanwhile, Fall Creek Intermediate sent out a letter to parents saying 40 students returned to school Friday and they hope to see attendance improve next week. The school also says a team of custodians will disinfect the building over the weekend, and another team will clean and disinfect buses.
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