SARS fears prompt Ohio school district to close its doors to 1,100 students

AP via Boston Glob ^ | 4/28/03 | staff

[CFW]

MINERAL RIDGE, Ohio (AP) A school district with 1,100 students shut down Monday after parents said they were worried a group of students may have been exposed to the SARS virus during a trip to Canada last week.

None of the students showed any signs of severe acute respiratory syndrome, but two school board members received five or six calls each from worried parents and asked that schools be closed, said Rocco Adduci, superintendent of Weathersfield School District in suburban Youngstown.

[Poohbah]

Hey, KEWL!

SARS = Free week off from school!

[smith288]

Its best. But im guessing they are all together at some party in the sticks.

[CFW]

Over-reaction? None had any symptoms.

[coloradan]

but two school board members received five or six calls each from worried parents and asked that schools be closed,

Wow! 10 or 12 phone calls completely shuts down the schools.

[smith288]

I hear incubation is like 7 days... You want to risk that?

[Random Access]

Considering the state of public education today, this may be the greatest contribution to the education of these kids this year.

[Dane]

SARS = Free week off from school!

And a paid week off for the NEA teachers, also, they hoped.

But alas for the NEA, it seems that school will be in session tommorrow, according to earlier reports today by WTAM, 1100 AM, Cleveland.

[TonyWojo]

The calls were probably from students posing as parents all 12 of them lol

[Chemist_Geek]

None of the students showed any signs of severe acute respiratory syndrome, but two school board members received five or six calls each

Okay, so, from five to twelve whiny soccer moms shut down an entire 1,100 student school district. (Not just the school with the Toronto trip students!) Sheesh...

[codercpc]

Why if they were so worried about it didn't they just ask that the teachers and students who went to Canada to stay home instead of keeping everyone out?

Oh I know, they didn't want to discriminate.

[coloradan]

... which makes these phone calls about 10% as effective as a bomb threat, which only takes one to shut down a school. But bomb threats are felonies. Should these calls be 1/10 felonies?

[coloradan]

You want to risk that?

No! Shut down all government schools immediately and permanently!

[CdMGuy]

The question should be, "What were this group of students and teachers doing in Toronto in the first place?" Yes, they likely had the trip planned months in advance, and yes, they may have lost their money, but what was more important? It seems to me that the school and the school board are at fault for not telling the group to cancel or postpone the trip.

[smith288]

ok ok...thats over reaction. A school is a bunch of kids shuffling down hallways totally ignorant of current events and dont even take the risks of sex seriously (well, thats a blanket statement, but not too far off, i am 25 so I remember). A week off, in my opinion, wouldnt be such a bad idea figuring in the risks.

[smith288]

Though a district is a tad over reacting. I grant you that.

[smith288]

Though a district is a tad over reacting. I grant you that.

[codercpc]

I agree. If my son had a trip planned to Toronto, I would not allow him to go. Not right now anyway. I just think that it is stupid to shut down a school (if its like my sons district they probably have more days off than on), when it could just tell the students that went to stay home for a few more days. They could make it up in the summer:)

[HamiltonJay]

6 people call the school board and you shut down the entire school? Holy cow!

[yankeedame]

Over-reaction? None had any symptoms.

Yeah, but you know how it goes. The folks over in the legal department thought it would be a good idea any way.