SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – A central Illinois school district sent 600 students home from classes because they didn’t have their required physicals and immunizations.

The State Journal-Register reports the Springfield Public Schools students were sent home Tuesday. Superintendent Jennifer Gill says most of those students are heading into sixth, ninth and 12th grades. Gill says one factor is that 12th-graders must provide proof of two meningococcal vaccines if the first was received on or after their 16th birthdays.
She says the situation could be worse.

Last week, 2,400 students in the district were not in compliance.

Springfield School Board member Mike Zimmers says parents of the 600 students “should be ashamed of themselves” for not ensuring their children met the medical requirements.

The district has about 15,000 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.