Hellstern Middle School closed after widespread illness

— A stomach virus was largely responsible for keeping more than 300 Hellstern Middle School students home Thursday, prompting the School District to cancel Friday classes at Hellstern Middle School, Superintendent Jim Rollins said.

“We want to make the best call we can to make sure our kids are as safe as they can be,” Rollins said.

The source of the sickness has not been identified.

“I don’t think we have anything definitive,” Rollins said. “The symptoms our kids have seem clearly to take us to the stomach virus conclusion.”

Rollins said 316 Hellstern students — approximately one-third of the school — were absent Thursday.

The problem appears to be specific to Hellstern and has not been identified in other schools. Rollins decided to cancel school Friday after conferring with local and state health officials.

Upcoming Events