School’s out for sickness.

Warren County students have the rest of the week off as school has been canceled Wednesday through Friday due to illness.

“Everybody needs to go home, rest up, and hopefully get well,” said Director of Schools Bobby Cox.

School officials have been closely monitoring system-wide attendance since Friday. Cox said more than 700 students missed school Tuesday, a little more than 12 percent, with many other students reporting to school but having to leave early.

“When we reach the 10 percent mark is when we really start paying close attention,” said Cox. “In addition to students, we have right at 9 percent of our teachers out and 10 of our bus drivers.”

Cox said illness is spreading throughout Middle Tennessee. He’s been in talks with school officials in DeKalb County who report their absentee rate is 13 percent.

“In talking with healthcare clinics, they recommended that we shut down,” said Cox. “Our entire area has been hit.”

Cox said absenteeism in Warren County increased by 251 students from Friday to Tuesday. The decision to close schools for three days was made Tuesday afternoon when the state gave permission for the school system to use inclement weather days to close for illness.

Warren County stockpiles bad weather days and had 10 at the start of the school year. The school system has already used one day and will be left with six bad weather days after this week.

Cox said high school and middle school athletics will continue as scheduled. That means Friday’s inaugural homecoming basketball game against White County will be played at Charlie Dalton Gym with a king and queen to be selected.