POLK COUNTY, Fla. — With just days to go until the first day of school in Polk County, an elementary school is closing its doors due to an outbreak of COVID-19.

There are "multiple positive cases of COVID-19 impacting the school," Spessard L. Holland Elementary stated in a Facebook post. "Polk County Public Schools is working closely with the Florida Department of Health."

The news took parents like Robert Hendrix by surprise. 

“We’re kind of in crisis mode and not in a sense of we’re really panicking, but in a sense of we’re trying to figure out what’s best for all of our children,” he said. “I think all of this happened so fast. I think I’m waiting for someone to step in and be the grown up in the room and say 'here’s an additional option.'”

The district later confirmed to Spectrum News that eight staff members have tested positive, and results for others are pending.

Just last week, the school posted a picture of a room packed with staff members at a luncheon.

"Ultimately, our priority must be the safety of our students, staff and employees,"  the statement read.

Elizabeth Buttrey's son attends the school. She said cases popped up throughout the last school year, but she was taken off guard by news of the current outbreak.

“Obviously they see that their teachers are the ones bringing back coronavirus to the campus because there’s no kids on campus as of now,” she said.

And she also had some questions.

“What are we doing?” Are you separating my kid? Can I request separation? Can I request that the teacher require my child to remember to wear their mask?”

The school said it will undergo a deep cleaning before reopening on Monday, and additional staff is available to cover any absences. Students are scheduled to start classes on Tuesday.