SALINEVILLE, Ohio - Southern Local School District in Salineville will be closed Thursday and Friday due to illness amongst several students and staff members.

School Board President, Kip Dowling tells 21 News he had received an email from Superintendent Tom Cunningham stating that approximately 20% of students and "several" staff members are out sick.

As of 2022, there were 836 students enrolled for the 2022-23 school year, which would equate to approximately 136 students being off sick. An exact figure of staff members off sick was not given at this time.

Superintendent Cunngingham tells 21 News he does not know what the sickness is or if there is any trends with symptoms amongst students and staff, but says it's gotten to the point where there are not enough teachers.

Cunningham went on to say that he wants to make sure students, faculty and their families are safe for the holidays coming up. A cleaning crew will be at the district over the weekend to sanitize the buildings.

Classes will resume on January 3 following winter break.