Staff members and parents in Columbiana County’s Crestview School District will have an opportunity next week to share their ideas with administrators on ways to reduce the system's high rate of absenteeism.

The district has recorded 266 absences since in-person classes resumed last month. 

The schools have reported 43 confirmed communicable diseases, including 27 COVID-19 cases and sixteen instances of Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease during the first thirteen days of school.

On the first day of classes, 12 students tested positive for COVID-19.  Two others had Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.

According to a PowerPoint presentation presented by the district, as of Tuesday sixty-three students are under quarantine.

When classes resumed after Labor Day, 22% of the students were absent. School officials say that the normal absentee rate is about 5%.

Parents, students, board, and staff members will attend a Superintendent Advisory Meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 14 at the school’s Performing Arts Center to brainstorm ideas to solve the absentee problem.

Among the topics of discussion will be the best ways of accomplishing in-person learning, and at what point does the school move to remote learning.