Funding Our Schools - Jan 16
Dear District Families,
We want to share a simple way families can help support our schools during a challenging budget year.
Our district is facing a $5 million budget shortfall. While we continue to work toward long-term solutions, one factor that directly impacts school funding is student attendance and this is one area where families can make an immediate impact.
Our district is funded based on daily attendance, not enrollment. This means we only receive funding for a student on days they are physically present at school. When a student is absent for any reason, whether the absence is excused or unexcused, the district does not receive funding for that day. Excused absences still matter for classroom and school site policies, but they do not affect whether funding is generated.
Each day a student is absent represents approximately $95 in lost revenue for the district. That amount may not seem large on its own, but it adds up quickly. With roughly 5,500 students, if every student attended school just one additional day, it would generate more than $520,000 in additional funding for our schools.
We want to be very clear: we are not asking families to send children to school when they are sick. Student health and well-being always come first. What we are asking is that families consider the financial impact of absences when scheduling appointments, vacations, or other obligations when possible.
It’s also important to know that attending school for even part of the day counts as attendance. If a student can attend for half a day before or after an appointment, that presence still generates funding and supports classroom learning.
Attendance supports more than our budget. It strengthens classroom continuity, student learning, and school community. We truly value our partnership with families and appreciate your support as we navigate these difficult decisions together.
Thank you for being part of our school community and for helping us ensure the best possible outcomes for all students.
Sincerely,
Michelle Wing, Board President
Eric Martin, Board Clerk
Mark Nelson, Board Trustee
Leff Brown, Board Trustee
Shirley Johnson, Board Trustee