Overview
- Dexter USD 471 in rural southeast Kansas dismissed students and staff on Dec. 15, moving up winter break and postponing events.
- Superintendent K.B. Criss said 25% to 35% of the roughly 250 to 300 students were absent within the first hour, with 40 to 50 sick calls reported.
- Illnesses included vomiting, diarrhea, fevers, cough, congestion and severe headaches, with some confirmed cases of RSV and influenza.
- The district is offering free testing for Flu A/B, RSV, Strep A and COVID and plans a deep cleaning before classes resume Jan. 5.
- Officials said the early dismissal was intended to reduce spread to extended families during the holidays, as CDC data show low overall respiratory activity but rising seasonal flu.