Absences continue in Dale County school systems from suspected flu
August 25, 2009
By Ebony Horton
Information compiled by Ebony Horton/ehorton@dothaneagle.com
More than 500 students have been reported absent in Dale County school systems this week as a result of suspected swine flu, according to officials.
Daleville City Schools Superintendent Andrew Kelley said about 10 percent of the entire student body was absent on Monday.
A total of 356 students were absent from Dale County School System, Schools Superintendent Donny Bynum said, though the numbers were not directly attributed to swine flu.
In Ozark, Schools Superintendent Mike Lenhart said total absences had been 99 as of Monday at Carroll High School alone. That number was up from 77 on Friday, he said.
Each school head said they were proactive in following state Department of Education and Department of Public Health guidelines in order to minimize exposure to germs and viruses.
Kelley said teachers are also proactive in recognizing flu-like symptoms and sending those students home.
Dale County Schools’ Absences:
Ariton Schools 64
Dale County High 50
G.W. Long Elementary School 41
G.W. Long High School 38
Newton Elementary School 42
Midland City Elementary School 30
South Dale Middle School 91
Total=356.
Daleville City Schools Absences:
About 126
Ozark City Schools absences:
Carroll High School 21
D.A. Smith Middle School 9
Mixon Elementary School 6
Lisenby Elementary School 22
Thompkins Early Childhood Learning Center 3
Total = 61
