OLATHE, Kan. — Schools in Olathe and Kansas City, Kansas, have canceled classes this week as COVID-19 cases surge among staff and students in the districts.
The Kansas City Star reports that Olathe Public Schools and Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools canceled classes for Tuesday and Wednesday. Olathe Superintendent Brent Yeager said the cancellations were unavoidable as more than 800 school employees about 20% of all Olathe schools’ staff were out sick heading into this week. Yeager said more than 1,500 students had the virus last week. Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools reported it had 200 teaching positions unfilled Friday.
The Kansas City-area school closures follow the closures of several other Kansas districts last week due to the surging virus.