ALPENA — Two local school districts are closed today because of illness.

Alpena Public Schools is closed today because of extreme sickness and the absence of multiple bus drivers and building staff, according to a robocall sent to families on Sunday.

Rogers City Area Schools is also closed today because of the number of students sick.

“We have a number of bus drivers out to a point we’re pretty sure we wouldn’t be able to cover our routes,” Alpena Superintendent John VanWagoner said, noting there were also staff who had called out sick.

VanWagoner said on Friday there were a number of drivers who drove sick and that the district’s mechanics were asked to cover routes. On Friday, there were also teaching positions they didn’t have enough substitutes for. Those absences were covered by principals and other staff.

VanWagoner said a thorough cleaning of all the school buildings began on Saturday and that the district’s cleaning staff will do another round of cleaning. He said they want the schools to be as clean as possible to prevent the spread of germs.

VanWagoner said on Thurday that attendance was in the low- to mid-90% because students were out sick. At least 75% of students must be in class for schools to get credit for the day, according to state law.

Atlanta Community Schools is back in school today after being closed last week because of the high number of students out sick.

Schools are allowed to cancel classes a certain number of days because of unforeseen circumstances. Typically, those cancellations are because of snow, but they also can be used for illness.

Alpena has used two of the six allowed days so far this school year.

VanWagoner said he would like school to resume on Tuesday, but they will check in with their staff and bus drivers, and play it day-by-day.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.