A spike in illnesses has forced a short-term closure of Burlington High School.
Superintendent Craig Marshall says there was a sudden jump in illness-related absences after the Labor Day weekend. The absence rate went from under 2 percent Friday to over 11 percent Wednesday. Marshall did not initially specify whether coronavirus or other illnesses were to blame for the closure, but he has confirmed to KVOE News the situation is due — at least in part — to an increase in COVID in both students and staff.
Burlington High is now closed for learning until at least Tuesday at the recommendation of Coffey County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Sloyer. This includes an inservice day already on the schedule for Monday. There will be no sports or school activities at the school through at least Monday, although teams can resume practices Monday unless the situation changes.
On-site learning continues as scheduled at Burlington Middle School and Burlington Elementary School because those schools have stable illness rates.
