May 1, 2009 8:09 pm US/Eastern
Montgomery Co. Official: Closing School Was A Must
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Montgomery County school officials have closed Rockville High School.
Montgomery County's school superintendent says it was a tough thing to do to close Rockville High School, especially considering that it's in the middle of the school year.
But as
Gigi Barnett reports, he says it was something that he had to do.
More than 300 schools around the nation are closed as health workers investigate possible swine flu cases.
"I'm kind of upset 'cause it's the end of the season," said a student.
Rockville High School in Montgomery County joins the list. It's closed indefinitely.
"We may look like we've overreacted or we may look like we underreacted, but we are reacting on the best knowledge we have," said Robert Gibbs, White House press secretary.
School workers locked the doors Friday morning, keeping all students out. Rockville High was Maryland's first school closed because of a possible swine flu case.
Health workers are testing a special needs student who attends the school.
Some students believe the shutdown is a day to play.
"It's kind of scary, but I have to be honest, it's nice to have a little break from school," said a student.
Rockville High isn't completely empty. There are some janitors inside cleaning up, but there are only about 15 to 20 essential employees.
With classes canceled, that includes extracurricular activities, and students say this could impact their school year.
"I know graduation's coming. I know all of those kinds of things will be disrupted. I know we're going to get 150,000 different questions, but not to sort them out could endanger the life of a child," said Gibbs.
The Health Department is also looking at a probable case at Montpelier Elementary in Prince George's County, Folger McKinsey Elementary in Severna Park and another at Milford Mill Academy in Baltimore County.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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