3 Coronavirus Cases Close Kimball Hill School In Rolling Meadows

ROLLING MEADOWS, IL — With three coronavirus cases that led to additional suspected cases as revealed through contact tracing, Community Consolidated School District announced Monday that Kimball Hill School will be closed through the end of October. The decision, made in collaboration with the Cook County Department Health Department, shuts down in-person schooling through at least Oct. 30.

"There is reason to believe many of the confirmed and suspected cases are connected by time and place," Laurie Heinz, superintendent of schools, said in an email to parents.

As permitted by the Illinois Department of Public Health, school districts may pause in-person learning at the classroom, building or District level at their discretion to prevent disease transmission during a pandemic.

The decision to temporarily close Kimball Hill, according to district officials, was a result of several factors:

• Multiple positive cases, some connected by time and place;
• Multiple suspected cases, connected by time and place to confirmed cases and;
• Some of these situations occurred in key locations within the building that are not contained within a classroom(s) which is especially concerning.

"This decision was not easy, but made out of an abundance of caution to protect the well-being of our students and staff," Heinz said. "We hope you will understand that we must place the health and well-being of our students and staff above our desire to stay open for face-to-face instruction."

Heinz said if similar situations arise at other District 15 facilities, the district will not hesitate to implement an Adaptive Pause where needed.