Two Newton schools exceed 10% student absent rate due to sickness

Less than two weeks into the new school year, Woodrow Wilson Elementary School and Berg Middle School have more than 10 percent of their students absent due to illness.

In a letter addressed to families and staff, Newton Superintendent Tom Messinger said 29 Woodrow Wilson students — or 10.86 percent — were counted absent because of illness or medical reasons on Sept. 1.

According to metrics released by the school district, the percentage of students in Woodrow Wilson who were out sick dropped to 7.14 percent the next day. Newton High School reported 9.82 percent of its students were home sick.

On Sept. 3, the Newton school district reported Berg Middle School also exceeded the 10% threshold. About 99 students – or 11.54 percent – were absent due to sickness. Messinger, too, reported those findings to health officials.

In addition to student absences, Woodrow Wilson has eight staff members gone on Sept. 2 due to illness, Messinger said. Administrators have “been working hard to make sure all openings are covered.”

All Iowa schools are required to report to the Iowa Department of Public Health when student absent rates rise above 10 percent due to illness, even before the COVID-19 pandemic took place. Schools are not required to report staff illness.

Regardless, Newton is monitoring its staff absences and reporting additional information to IDPH, Messinger said. The superintendent completed the IDPH survey and is in contact with the Jasper County Health Department.

At this point, the district is not canceling school or closing a building.

If the Newton Community School District were to cancel classes in a building for any reason, Messinger said the district would be required to make the time up for that building. The district will continue its “diligence to monitor the situation daily.”

Messinger urged families and staff to take care of themselves and others, telling them to stay home if they are sick, keep regular hand washing and hand sanitizing routines in place and maintain disinfecting practices.

The superintendent also noted that masks are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although the school district cannot require masks to be worn, it also cannot tell people to not wear them either.

Becky Pryor, administrator of the Jasper County Health Department, said she has no authority over school closures; rather, it is up to the Iowa Department of Education and the district. Pryor commended the Newton school district for reporting its numbers and its overall transparency of the situation.

“When a school hits 10 percent, they report to IDPH,” Pryor said. “IDPH then contacts the public health nurses … This protocol has not changed from pre-COVID. The State Epidemiology works with us along with each school experiencing high absenteeism or outbreaks to look for trends and give recommendations as needed.”

When a school hits the 10 percent threshold, Pryor said it reports to IDPH which then contracts public health. This protocol has not changed from pre-COVID. The state epidemiologist also works with public health and each building experiencing high absenteeism or outbreaks to look for trends and give recommendations.

Jasper County Health Department has regular — sometimes daily — conversations with the Newton superintendent and many of the school nurses, Pryor said. The health department continues to educate and support all Jasper County schools the best it can with IDPH recommendations and state laws.

“We know there are numerous children and staff that are sick with COVID symptoms,” Pryor said. “We encourage anyone that is sick to stay home and get tested for COVID. Research about COVID vaccines indicate that they remain the best mitigation strategy to prevent hospitalizations and deaths.”