Waco Journal
Saturday, May 17, 2025
  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result
Waco Journal
  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result
Waco Journal
No Result
View All Result

Flu Outbreak Forces Multiple Central Texas School Districts to Close

by Nolan Harris
January 31, 2025
in Local News
Flu Outbreak Forces Multiple Central Texas School Districts to Close

Waco, TX – As flu cases continue to surge across the country, Central Texas is seeing a notably higher positivity rate compared to the national average. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Texas Health and Human Services, the flu situation in Texas is worsening, prompting several local school districts to close their doors for the remainder of the week.

Six school districts in the region—Mount Calm, West, Gholson, Moody, Rogers, and Hallsburg ISD—have already announced closures in an effort to curb the spread of the flu and other illnesses. The decision to shut down schools was made in response to a sharp decline in student attendance, with some districts reporting record numbers of absences.

Gholson ISD Superintendent Heather McCartney explained that the district’s decision to close came after student attendance dipped to around 76% and nearly a third of the staff either fell ill or began showing symptoms. “For a small school like us, it’s pretty significant,” McCartney said. The district, which typically has a smaller student body, has been particularly hard-hit by the flu.

Even larger districts are not immune to the effects of the outbreak. West ISD Superintendent David Truitt reported a dramatic rise in student absences, with the number of students absent jumping from 141 to 218 in just two days. Additionally, 36 staff members were absent due to illness. “It’s been a rapid change,” Truitt said, noting that the flu has spread quickly through the district.

The situation has prompted districts to take extra precautions to prevent further spread. According to Waco ISD Health Services Director Rhiannon Settles, while the district has not yet had to cancel school, flu numbers are higher than usual. “It does seem like our flu numbers are a little higher than normal, but that’s a trend that we’re seeing across the state and across the country,” Settles said.

In response to the rising number of cases, Waco ISD’s maintenance director, Alex Villanueva, explained that the district is closely monitoring illnesses in the schools. “If it reaches a certain percentage of any type of disease, then we go into the campus and do a deep cleaning in those classrooms that are affected,” Villanueva said. The district is committed to disinfecting affected areas to reduce the risk of an outbreak.

For districts that have closed, officials have assured the public that facilities will undergo a thorough cleaning, including disinfecting desks, chairs, and any other surfaces students frequently touch. “It’s just deep cleaning of everything,” McCartney said. This cleaning process is intended to help ensure that students and staff can return to school as safely as possible.

In addition to the cleaning efforts, health officials are urging parents to keep their children at home if they are sick. “We ask parents to keep their students home if they are sick—if they’re running a temperature over 100 degrees, if they’re having any vomiting or diarrhea, or if they’re just not acting like themselves,” Settles advised.

The temporary school closures are designed to give students and staff the time needed to recover, with the goal of resuming classes healthy and ready to learn by the following week. Despite the challenges, McCartney remains hopeful that the community will come together to overcome the flu outbreak. “It’s just a hard time we’ll have to get through and get on the other side of it,” she said.

As flu cases continue to rise, local school districts are adjusting their strategies to protect both the health of their students and staff and the continuity of education in the region.

Related Posts

Waco Police Department thanks Target for hosting Coffee with a Cop during National Police Week
Local News

Waco Police Department thanks Target for hosting Coffee with a Cop during National Police Week

May 15, 2025

Waco, TX - The Waco Police Department expressed appreciation to Target for hosting a special Coffee with a Cop event...

City of Waco welcomes new and returning councilmembers during swearing-in ceremony
Local News

City of Waco welcomes new and returning councilmembers during swearing-in ceremony

May 15, 2025

Waco, TX - The City of Waco officially welcomed both new and returning members to its City Council during this...

Applications are open for the WPD Junior Police Academy, police officials say
Local News

Waco Police Department to host Peace Officer Memorial Service honoring fallen officers

May 15, 2025

Waco, TX - The Waco Police Department is inviting the community to attend the McLennan County Peace Officer Memorial Service...

Waco Teenager Sentenced to 14 Years for Gang-Related Shooting
Local News

Waco Police Department reminds students that applications for Junior Police Academy are due today

May 12, 2025

Waco, TX - The Waco Police Department is reminding students that applications for the Junior Police Academy are due today, May...

Applications are open for the WPD Junior Police Academy, police officials say
Local News

Waco Police Department honors fallen officers during National Police Week

May 12, 2025

Waco, TX - As part of National Police Week, the Waco Police Department is remembering the 11 officers who have...

Community center mural celebrates Hispanic heritage in Waco
Local News

Community center mural celebrates Hispanic heritage in Waco

May 12, 2025

Waco, TX - A stunning mural at the South Waco Community Center is drawing attention for its vibrant portrayal of...

Man cIaims he Iost controI after his famiIy member demanded that he sign titIe documents before ordering him to get out of the home they shared, only to kiII the elderly woman; sentenced
News

Man cIaims he Iost controI after his famiIy member demanded that he sign titIe documents before ordering him to get out of the home they shared, only to kiII the elderly woman; sentenced

by Nolan Harris
May 16, 2025
0

Florida - A Florida man, 24-year-old M. HaII, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the kiIIing of his famiIy member,...

Read moreDetails
Woman dies after the father of her chiIdren, who according to her became enraged after seeing a man Ieave their famiIy home, grabbed a Iarge bIade and kiIIed her: police

Woman dies after the father of her chiIdren, who according to her became enraged after seeing a man Ieave their famiIy home, grabbed a Iarge bIade and kiIIed her: police

May 16, 2025
Governor Abbott praises President Trump’s bold accomplishments and vision in joint address to Congress

Governor Abbott directs SBA to join damage assessments in South Texas following severe storms

May 15, 2025
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller praises Trump’s China trade agreement

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller praises Trump’s China trade agreement

May 15, 2025
Waco Police Department thanks Target for hosting Coffee with a Cop during National Police Week

Waco Police Department thanks Target for hosting Coffee with a Cop during National Police Week

May 15, 2025
Man cIaims he Iost controI after his famiIy member demanded that he sign titIe documents before ordering him to get out of the home they shared, only to kiII the elderly woman; sentenced

Man cIaims he Iost controI after his famiIy member demanded that he sign titIe documents before ordering him to get out of the home they shared, only to kiII the elderly woman; sentenced

by Nolan Harris
May 16, 2025
0

Florida - A Florida man, 24-year-old M. HaII, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the kiIIing of his famiIy member,...

Woman dies after the father of her chiIdren, who according to her became enraged after seeing a man Ieave their famiIy home, grabbed a Iarge bIade and kiIIed her: police

Woman dies after the father of her chiIdren, who according to her became enraged after seeing a man Ieave their famiIy home, grabbed a Iarge bIade and kiIIed her: police

by Nolan Harris
May 16, 2025
0

Minnesota - Minnesota authorities took 48-year-old J. FiIas into custody in connection with the fatal stabbing of his partner, 32-year-old DanieIe....

Governor Abbott praises President Trump’s bold accomplishments and vision in joint address to Congress

Governor Abbott directs SBA to join damage assessments in South Texas following severe storms

by Nolan Harris
May 15, 2025
0

Texas - Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to coordinate with the U.S. Small...

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller praises Trump’s China trade agreement

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller praises Trump’s China trade agreement

by Nolan Harris
May 15, 2025
0

Texas - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller released a statement Tuesday applauding former President Donald J. Trump following the announcement...

About Us

A community needs news and Waco Journal is proud to serve 50,000 households each month through our website covering Waco and the other local counties.

Learn more

Recent Stories

  • Man cIaims he Iost controI after his famiIy member demanded that he sign titIe documents before ordering him to get out of the home they shared, only to kiII the elderly woman; sentenced
  • Woman dies after the father of her chiIdren, who according to her became enraged after seeing a man Ieave their famiIy home, grabbed a Iarge bIade and kiIIed her: police

Categories

  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
Currently Playing

© 2023 Waco Journal

  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result