Social and Economic Consequences of Unplanned School Closure – Illinois, 2013

BACKGROUND: During a moderate to severe pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may recommend school closures to slow influenza transmission before a vaccine becomes available. Extended school closures can involve unintended consequences for schools, students, and families. We conducted an investigation to examine social and economic consequences of the unplanned school closure in Beardstown Community Unit School District (BCUSD) from April 25 to May 6, 2013, in preparation for potential flooding.

METHODS: A standard questionnaire was distributed to all households with children enrolled in one of the four BCUSD schools. The questionnaire requested information on household demographics, access to child care services, lost pay, and other unanticipated expenses during the closure. Parents were asked to fill out one survey per household and mail completed surveys to investigators in a pre-paid envelope. Frequencies were calculated based on the response rate for each question. Fisher’s exact test was used to assess statistical significance. Data analysis was performed by using SAS 9.3 (Cary, NC).

RESULTS: A total of 1,670 surveys were distributed; 423 students were represented in 208 surveys that were completed and returned (25% of students). Of the 208 households, 24 (12%) had one adult, 144 (69%) had two adults, and 39 (19%) had three or more adults. Annual household income was below $25,000 for 51 (29%) respondents. Thirty-six (18%) households reported that the school closure caused difficulties, including child care arrangements, lost pay, and uncertain duration of closure; there was no statistically significant difference between households with one adult and those with two or more adults. Of the 208 respondents, 129 (62%) indicated that child care during the closure was provided by an adult household member; 30 (14%) indicated it was provided by an adult outside the household. Forty-four (22%) households reported additional expenses for child care arrangements during the closure; the median cost was $100 (range: $3-$1500). Of the 150 households with children enrolled in the National School Lunch Program, 21 (14%) reported difficulties providing food to their families after losing program meals.

CONCLUSIONS: While the majority of households did not report difficulties during this school closure, a minority of households reported lost pay, additional costs for child care arrangements, and difficulty providing food for the family. Public health and school officials could include resources for alternate child care and meal arrangements as part of planning for future school closures as a community mitigation strategy during a pandemic.