SJE schools close after flu outbreak

An outbreak of flu hit dozens of students in the St. John and Endicott School districts the first week of March, prompting school officials to close the school March 3.

“We aired out the buildings and disinfected as much as we could,” said Superintendent Rick Winters.

Eighty-five of the 260 students were absent Wednesday, with roughly 90 percent of the calls related to flu-like symptoms.

Students or their parents began calling in sick Monday, Feb. 28, with more calls later in the week. Winters said he and other school officials decided at noon Wednesday to close the next day, March 3.

“Monday,...