Prior to the closing, the district was drafting any employees with a Commercial Driver License to fill in as bus drivers to cover for the regular drivers who became ill.
The district has 2,884 students, 199 certified staff and 129 classified staff, which includes 22 bus drivers. The district operates 20 buses and two vans to transport students each day.
Sander said the temporary closure was the right thing to do for the students and the district.
“We were much better off student-wise to cancel classes,” Sander said. “We were also not worried about getting kids to and from school.”
It was also the first time that Sander’s 18 years working as a school superintendent that he had to cancel classes due to the flu. Sander has been Franklin’s superintendent for six years.
“This was huge for us,” Sander said.
While Sander appreciates those who try to tough it out and come to school or work with an illness, he said, “it does more harm than good. When someone starts showing symptoms, it’s time to get them home.”
Sander said attendance has averaged about 93 percent since classes resumed on Feb. 10.
“All schools, except the kindergarten on the first day back, have had over 90 percent every day since the closing,” he said.
Sander said the district is normally at 95 percent for attendance.
MORE: Flu forces some school closures, but local schools spared so far
High levels of illness has closed several school districts this month, including Centerville Schools, East Dayton Christian School, Wenzler Daycare and Learning Center and Wilmington Schools in Clinton County.
“We are still seeing cases of strep and flu in our buildings, but not a large spike,” said Betsy Fuller, Lakota Schools spokeswoman. “We encourage our families to keep their children home if they are sick, frequent handwashing and covering your cough and sneeze. Our nursing staff is in close communication with our custodial staff so that, should there be an increase in illness, extra steps are added to the daily cleaning procedures.”
Joni Copas, Hamilton school spokeswoman, said, “Our head nurse just checked and district wide we have 91.6 percent here (Thursday), so no big absences.”
MORE: Here’s what you can do to prevent the flu
The number of new flu-associated hospitalizations in Butler County rose in the week of Feb. 2-8, which mirrored a trend in the state.
There were 29 flu-related hospital stays in Butler County, up from 14 the previous week, according to the Butler County General Health District. The 29 were the highest this flu season since the county reported 34 the week ending Jan. 4. That number is slightly lower than the county would normally expect to see, according to the three-year-average of 32. There have been 134 reported hospitalizations in Butler County this flu season, a decrease of 61 compared to the overall three-year average.
In the state, the 994 hospitalizations from Feb. 2-8 marked a high for the 2019-20 flu season and a 19 percent increase over the previous week, according to the Ohio Department of Health.These numbers bring to 5,457 the total hospitalizations since the season began at the end of September, and are more than double the hospitalizations reported during the same week of last year’s flu season.
“One in 12 Americans is likely to get sick from flu this season,” said Ohio Department of Health Medical Director Dr. Mark Hurst.
Health officials are continuing to educate the community on flu prevention by getting vaccinated, hand-washing, covering your cough, and staying home if you are ill. More flu prevention information can be found at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
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