Nearly 60 percent of Marion B. Earl Elementary students absent today

The rate of absenteeism at Marion B. Earl Elementary School is nearly 60 percent today, with 365 students staying home.

Absences have steadily increased since health officials documented four cases of swine flu on Wednesday. The school has an enrollment of 614.

Officials are uncertain how many students are actually sick because many parents are keeping their children home as a health precaution.

The Clark County School District still has no plans to close the school at 6650 Reno Ave., which is near Torrey Pines Drive and Tropicana Avenue.

Classes continue as usual and the school is expected to be open Monday.