Beloit rash update

West Branch school officials say they expect to make a decision this afternoon about when to reopen Beloit Elementary and West Branch Middle schools in light of the recurrence Monday of a red, itchy rash affecting pupils in the elementary side of the building.

Dr. Scott Weingart, superintendent, was in meetings this morning with school administrators and health officials mapping out a plan to get the buildings open again.

All of the West Branch schools were closed Friday after the rash outbreak amoung three dozen elementary pupils Thursday. All of the buildings were cleaned over the weekend and tested again on Sunday for air quality and any surface contaminatoin, but nothing was found and school reopened Monday.

However, 11 elementary pupils came down with the same rash on Monday, prompting the closing the elementary and middle schools for today. Most of those 11 were among the three dozen affected Thursday. Their rashes had cleared up over the weekend.

Weingart said the rash is a non-contagious dermatitis that responds well to normal types of treatment.