KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo Public Schools continues to make headway improving it’s attendance numbers, but they still aren’t where they want to be.
Superintendent Darrin Slade says students can’t learn anything if they aren’t there.
The district has already beefed up its staff, made phone calls, e-mails, provided incentives, visited homes on Saturdays, created programs to help families with the issues that cause truancy, and will try some new things in coming weeks.
Over the weekend, students who have already missed too many days this year, were notified they must attend a meeting with superintendent’s staff to explain why.
He says they also plan a new crack down on students who are repeatedly late or chronically leave early, especially at the elementary schools.
Slade says it’s often the parents’ fault.
He says all Michigan school districts have just received the most recent state report on attendance, and the numbers show that their efforts are working.
Dr. Slade says despite all their efforts, they still remain below the state average in attendance, a gap they hope to close by 2030.
It’s not just an educational issue.
It’s also a financial issue, because state funding is based on the number of students in seats.
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