Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Swine flu could cost
schools millions
Absences could affect enrollment
figures
Updated: Wednesday, 02 Sep 2009, 5:21 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 02 Sep 2009, 5:21 PM EDT
TAMPA - A swine flu outbreak could mean a medical headache for a school, and now we're finding out, it could also cost the school district, millions of dollars.
Every year, schools have to count the number of kids in class. The most important count comes in October.
This year it falls during the week of Oct. 12th-16th.
School leaders count the students, then a report is sent to the Florida Department of Education.
That report is used to determine how much money each district gets. The state pays roughly $7,000 per student.
The concern is, what happens if a swine flu outbreak happens during that week?
Just before school started, Dr. Doug Holt with the Hillsborough Health Department gave his prediction.
"We expect a surge within one to two weeks after school starts, and continuing for several months," Holt said.
That would mean October would be right in the middle of it all.
Steve Hegarty with Hillsborough Schools said that's a concern.
"We've heard from the Health Department you could be out a few weeks with swine flu and if that corresponds with that week for a lot of kids, we could have a problem," Hegarty said.
The Health Department is predicting 30 percent of kids could be out with swine flu. In Hillsborough County, that's more than 50,000 kids.
School Board member Candy Olson said that would be an awful scenario.
"It would be a disaster. We've already had the impact financially, from the economy. So my hope is they'll just find another way to do it," Olson said.
She's hoping the Department of Education decides to count kids differently or allows for another time to do it.
"I think the Department of Education will probably revisit how the count is done. It's not in law, it's a regulation, so they can change it," she said.
The district has already sent the message: stay home if you're sick.
Even if it means losing money.
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/hillsborough/Swine_flu_schools_090209
schools millions
Absences could affect enrollment
figures
Updated: Wednesday, 02 Sep 2009, 5:21 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 02 Sep 2009, 5:21 PM EDT
TAMPA - A swine flu outbreak could mean a medical headache for a school, and now we're finding out, it could also cost the school district, millions of dollars.
Every year, schools have to count the number of kids in class. The most important count comes in October.
This year it falls during the week of Oct. 12th-16th.
School leaders count the students, then a report is sent to the Florida Department of Education.
That report is used to determine how much money each district gets. The state pays roughly $7,000 per student.
The concern is, what happens if a swine flu outbreak happens during that week?
Just before school started, Dr. Doug Holt with the Hillsborough Health Department gave his prediction.
"We expect a surge within one to two weeks after school starts, and continuing for several months," Holt said.
That would mean October would be right in the middle of it all.
Steve Hegarty with Hillsborough Schools said that's a concern.
"We've heard from the Health Department you could be out a few weeks with swine flu and if that corresponds with that week for a lot of kids, we could have a problem," Hegarty said.
The Health Department is predicting 30 percent of kids could be out with swine flu. In Hillsborough County, that's more than 50,000 kids.
School Board member Candy Olson said that would be an awful scenario.
"It would be a disaster. We've already had the impact financially, from the economy. So my hope is they'll just find another way to do it," Olson said.
She's hoping the Department of Education decides to count kids differently or allows for another time to do it.
"I think the Department of Education will probably revisit how the count is done. It's not in law, it's a regulation, so they can change it," she said.
The district has already sent the message: stay home if you're sick.
Even if it means losing money.
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/hillsborough/Swine_flu_schools_090209
