Students fall ill after staff member sells them cookies at Austin middle school

Several students at a Texas middle school reported feeling “unwell” after eating cookies they bought from a staff member, school officials said.

San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District officials are investigating after several students at Owen Goodnight Middle School in San Marcos, a suburb of Austin, reported feeling sick on Tuesday after eating the cookies, KXAN reported.

In a letter to parents, Principal Joe Mitchell said four students purchased and ate the cookies before going to the nurse’s office to report feeling sick, according to the station. Officials have not specified what kinds of symptoms students were experiencing.

School officials reported the situation to the San Marcos Police Department, which is now investigating. Law enforcement is now in possession of the cookies and will get them tested, Fox 7 Austin reported.

The staff member, who has not been publicly identified, has been removed from the district, according to the letter.

School district officials said any further personnel decisions will follow the investigation.

“The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority,” Mitchell said. “We are taking this matter very seriously and are reinforcing expectations that staff members are prohibited from selling or distributing personal food items to students at any time.”

Mitchell advised parents to monitor their children for any unusual symptoms and to seek medical attention if needed.

The district is also asking families to report any illnesses or concerns so staff can continue tracking the cases.

The Independent has contacted the San Marcos Police Department and the school district for more information.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies