Deaths shocked district

More than 4,000 people at six area sites were vaccinated after the deaths.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
BELOIT -- The school routine has returned to normal, but an outbreak of meningoccocal disease this spring has forever changed the lives of West Branch students.
"We're on track, having a good year, but that experience has affected them," Superintendent Lou Ramunno said. "It's something they carry around with them. It will always be a part of who they are."
It was a typical school year until Memorial Day weekend. There were only a few days left in the year when Kelly Coblentz, 15, died May 28, two days after the death of Jonathan Stauffer, also 15.
A third student, Christin Van Camp, 18 of Marlington High School in nearby Alliance, also was infected with the same type of bacteria that infected Jonathan and Kelly. Health officials said she arrived at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron in a coma, but made a complete recovery and graduated with her classmates.
Health officials speculated that Jonathan and Kelly may have shared a water bottle at a school outing, but family members of both students said that wasn't likely. The outbreak caused the cancellation of school and delayed many area graduation ceremonies.
Vaccinations: Ohio Department of Health and local health officials and volunteers vaccinated more than 4,000 people at six sites on June 8.
"I think we did everything we could have done, given that time of year," Ramunno said. "If it had not been the end of the school year, we may have handled things differently."
Ramunno has said the district placed greater emphasis on disease control and transmission education in physical education classes, athletic events and practices. Coaches were urged to make reminding students not to share water bottles a priority.