MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer
Posted: Monday, August 24, 2009 11:51 am

As the number of suspected and confirmed H1N1 virus cases rise in Rutherford County schools, administration takes evasive action.

“We have suspended field trips and excursions except for competitive events – both academic and sports,” said James Evans, Rutherford County Schools spokesman.

Evans said the number of suspected and confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, among students and teachers reached 50 last week, prompting the school system to suspend field trips for the time being.

“In order to try and protect the health of our students and slow the spread of the virus, I am suspending all field trips and excursions which occur during the school day,” Director of Schools Harry Gill Jr. wrote in a memo last Friday.

Field trips, which were approved before Friday, Aug. 21, are not canceled and athletic and academic events will continue, Gill said.

“In the event the system must close a school due to H1N1 flu, the athletic events or competitions, which are scheduled to be held at that school during the closure will be cancelled,” he added.

As of Friday, Murfreesboro City Schools did not have any confirmed cases of the flu.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.