Sixty-two Missouri school districts temporarily closed in January [View all]

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — So far in January, 62 Missouri school districts have closed for one or more days, largely because of a lack of staff caused by a surge in COVID-19 cases, education officials said Thursday.

That number is 12% of districts statewide, said Mallory McGowin, a spokesperson for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The closures came after many districts dropped mask requirements before the winter break in December, partly in response to Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt threatening to sue school districts that imposed mask or quarantine mandates, The Kansas City Star reported.

Some of the state’s largest districts, including Springfield, Columbia, and St. Joseph, have announced various plans to close for a few days because of staff shortages and high student absenteeism.

https://krcgtv.com/news/local/sixty-two-missouri-school-districts-temporarily-closed-in-january