A teacher's aide who worked at Yukon’s Skyview Elementary School died Sunday after a battle with COVID-19.
Erin Rhodes had worked in Yukon schools for six years and was most recently a pre-kindergarten aide at Skyview Elementary. The 41-year-old is at least the fifth Oklahoma educator or school support staff member to pass away after contracting the coronavirus since July.
In a statement released to reporters Monday, Yukon’s superintendent Jason Simeroth expressed sadness in the wake of Rhodes' passing. He said the Yukon community will rally together to support her family.
"There is no way that we can express the sadness that we have as a district when we lose one of our own," Simeroth said.
A GoFundMe Memorial fund has been established to defray the Rhodes family's medical costs and funeral expenses. She leaves behind two children and a husband, who is a teacher and coach in the Yukon school district.
As of Friday, Yukon Public Schools reported 100 active COVID cases among students and staff, and 671 active quarantines. The district began requiring masks, with opt-outs, on Wednesday.
