Adirondack Central sees big jump in absenteeism at elementary level

BOONVILLE — The Adirondack Central School District is seeing a flu-bolstered spike in absenteeism at its two small elementary schools, including the one in West Leyden in southern Lewis County.

District Superintendent Frederick J. Morgan said that 54 students — or 33 percent of all enrollees — at West Leyden Elementary School were absent Monday, and that figure rose to 65 students — or 41 percent — on Tuesday. Many have exhibited flu-like symptoms.

However, elementary students had only a half-day of instruction Tuesday, so that might have factored into the day's increase, Mr. Morgan said.

The district's other small elementary school in Forestport has seen absentee rates of 32 percent on Monday and 37 percent on Tuesday, while the larger Boonville Elementary School had rates of 13 percent and 16 percent, respectively, he said.

The middle school and high school have been between 6 percent and 14 percent, which is only slightly above the typical absentee range, roughly 4 percent to 6 percent, Mr. Morgan said.

Absentee rates at West Leyden Elementary School rose to about 20 percent last week, he said.

The district has been taking many recommended precautions to help reduce the spread of the flu virus, including increased cleaning and sending letters home to parents outlining preventive measures, Mr. Morgan said.

District officials have decided to hand out end-of-year awards for "responsible attendance" instead of the usual perfect attendance, he said.

"There's definitely widespread flu-like illness," said Carol A. Paluck, interim director of the Lewis County Public Health Agency.

The Lowville and South Lewis school districts have been reporting absentee rates of 10 percent, but some of that stems from non-flu-related gastrointestinal illness, Mrs. Paluck said.