KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Wednesday, nearly 25% of students in the Bonner Springs Edwardsville Unified School District were absent due to illness, prompting the district to close on Thursday and Friday, according to district officials.
Kaela Williams, a spokeswoman for the district, said it's not clear what percentages of students are sick with COVID-19, flu and other illnesses.
"The goal of this change in schedule is to reduce the further spread of illness among our school community and give those who are sick a chance to recuperate," the district said in a letter to families.
Williams said the district has been able to manage staffing absences due to illness so far and has partnered with the Morgan Hunter Staffing Agency to find substitutes.
Students will return to class on Tuesday, Jan. 18. They were already scheduled to be off for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
The district urged families to monitor students for any illness symptoms and to keep them at home if they're sick.
The two days will be accommodated as inclement weather days.
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