Howard County school districts report that recent student absences have been above normal levels, sometimes significantly so, as flu season has hit this area.

The good news? Attendance figures appear to be rebounding at all three school districts, although officials remain watchful of a recurrence.

Big Spring Independent School District Assistant Superintendent Danny Ferrell said student attendance rates are rebounding after a low point about two weeks ago, when approximately 350 of the district's 3,800 students were absent because of illness.

Ferrell said attendance figures have rebounded since then, with about 93 percent of students attending classes this week.

“That's down from normal, but it's pretty good average for the season,” Ferrell said.

Forsan Independent School District was hit particularly hard by the illness bug within the last month, with absence rates approaching 10 percent of the total student population on some days.

The low point for FISD came on Sept. 28-29, when 60 of the district's 700 students called in sick.

“It's been gradually improving since then,” Superintendent Randy Johnson said. “But, certainly, attendance is down from what it normally is.”

The major culprit for the high absence rates, Johnson said, has been the flu.

“It's fair to say that a vast majority of those absences were illness-related,” he said. “They're not all because of the flu — we had strep throat going around a few weeks ago — but the main reason absences have increased from last year is because of the flu.”

Coahoma ISD officials also reported higher-than-normal absences because of illness, but nothing approaching Forsan's rates.

“We've had more than usual, so far,” said Judy Dobbs, administrative secretary, “but it's nothing terrible.”

The district, which normally averages 15 to 20 absences a day, has reported figures double or triple that this year.

All three school districts are taking precautions to keep absences down to a minimum, including educating students and staff on how to prevent the spread of illness. Additionally, personnel from the State Department of Health Services have visited different campuses dispensing flu vaccinations.

SDHS personnel will return to Forsan ISD Oct. 26, offering vaccinations to both staff and students. Johnson said students must receive parental consent first, and parents must be present when their children receive vaccinations.

And officials noted they are watchful for another wave of absences.

“We're concerned about what will happen when cold weather hits and kids are cooped up inside,” Johnson said. “We'll be monitoring this closely.”

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331 ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it