The South Butler School District is reporting a surge in COVID-19 cases in its final week of the school year. Butler Eagle File Photo

Justin Guido

No one, including the superintendent, knows why the South Butler County School District suddenly has 20 new cases of COVID-19.

The district Wednesday morning reported the double-digit spike in cases with just 1.5 days of school left in the academic year.

Superintendent David Foley said he has no explanation as to why the increase in cases occurred.

He said the district does not track vaccination rates among students.

The district reported 12 new cases among students and four in staff members at Knoch High School, two new staff member cases at Knoch Middle School and two staff member cases at the South Butler Primary School.

Foley said none of the student cases at the high school are seniors, so Friday’s commencement ceremony should not be affected.

“Other than spacing chairs a little farther apart,” he said.

According to a canvass of local school district websites, it appears South Butler is the only one experiencing a significant spike in COVID-19 cases.

Foley said he is glad the 2021-22 school year is almost over.

“We’re limping to the finish,” he said.