Tri County calls off elementary classes because of illness, staff shortage

DEWITT, NE — A southeast Nebraska school district is closing a school for a couple of days in an effort to get students and staff healthy.

Tri County Public Schools near DeWitt announced that it is calling off classes for its elementary school on Tuesday and Wednesday. Superintendent Randy Schlueter says about 18 percent of elementary students were absent on Monday. He says the elementary is not able to cover all of the vacant staff positions created by staff sickness, the staff’s children being sick, or daycare not being available.

A decision about resuming classes on Thursday and Friday will be made on Wednesday afternoon. In the meantime, elementary certified staff are reporting to school for planning days.

In a message sent to parents, Schlueter thanked them for their flexibility.