O'DonnellWeb Monthly Archives

It costs to be absent in Los Alimitos, NM

Loa Alimitos, NM expects parents to reimburse the school when a student is absent. I want to think this is a joke, but unfortunately, it isn't. The LA Times charges for access, so no link. I wonder if a homeschooler is absent for the entire year? Note to NM homeschoolers. If they call asking for money, the proper response is "the checks in the mail" or maybe "kiss my ass." Either would be appropriate :)

This article is in the 8/28 L.A. Times.

District Requests $40 Per Absence
Los Alamitos Unified is asking parents to voluntarily reimburse it for state
funds lost when a child misses school. Some have complied.
By Claire Luna
Times Staff Writer

August 28, 2003

Students absent from classes in the Los Alamitos Unified School District
need an excuse from home. A $40 check for each missed day would be nice too,
the district says.

The request was contained in a letter to parents discussing the value, both
academic and financial, of coming to school all day, every day. It noted
that 80% of the district's revenue comes from state contributions based on
daily student attendance < about $40 per student per day.

District officials emphasize that the parent checks to reimburse the
district for lost state revenue are strictly voluntary, but note that in
times of tight budgets, every dollar counts.

Most parents registering students at Los Alamitos High School on Wednesday
afternoon said it's a guilt trip they're not willing to take.

"I think the schools ask for enough money as it is," said Jean Scheele,
noting the cost of cheerleader outfits, yearbooks and volleyball games for
her sophomore daughter. "When does it stop?"

The idea surfaced last year when the district sent out a similar letter <
sans the direct appeal for money < and some parents sent in $40 checks, said
Supt. Carol Hart. This summer, administrators decided to issue the plea.

"Should a student be absent," the letter reads, "parents/guardians are
encouraged to support the schools, if at all possible, by sending a check to
LAUSD for $40 per day of absence."

Hart said the letter was mainly intended to drive home an absence's effect
on learning and school funding but said she hopes it will generate some
funds.

"We would love it if as many parents could as possible," she said.. "But we
only encourage it if they can afford to. This is only if they can and are
willing."

It all depends, parents say.

"If I were to take my kids out of school for a vacation or something, I'd
donate the money because I'd feel bad," said Laura Lindquist, whose three
sons attend school in the 10-campus district.

"But our family isn't going to plan something on school time anyway."

When it comes to children being sick, though, it seemed no one plans to
cough up the $40. "I wouldn't feel responsible in that case," Lindquist
said.

"It's not like I let them stay home for no reason. When they're sick,
they're sick, and parents shouldn't be punished for keeping them away from
other kids."

The district lost $1.1 million last year because of absences. As in other
districts, that money is used for fixed costs: costs incurred even when
children don't come to school, including textbooks, utilities and teacher
salaries.

San Marino Unified School District has undertaken similar efforts for more
than a decade, and has recouped an estimated 50% of lost state aid with
voluntary parent reimbursements.

"Most parents are very responsive," said school board President Robert Gayl.
"They have been really good about understanding our need."

Jeri Wenger, a consultant for the state's Assn. of School Business Officials
and whose La Verne-based consulting group conducts statewide attendance
workshops, said districts are being more creative in their fund-raising
efforts.

The Los Alamitos letter rightfully makes parents partly responsible for
their children's attendance, she said.

"As long as it's a donation and it's done voluntarily, it's an appropriate
thing for parents to do if they so choose," Wenger said.

The state's Parent Teacher Assn. encourages districts to inform families
about the value of attendance. But making entreaties for money is a touchy
issue, said PTA spokeswoman Linda Mayo.

"Superintendents and school boards must carefully consider how a plea for
reimbursement will be perceived," she said. "What might be uncomfortable in
one community could be welcomed in another."

As in Los Alamitos, a handful of parents in the Saddleback Valley Unified
School District have voluntarily sent checks to the school to cover
absences, said Laura Ott, assistant to Supt. Jerry Gross.

"We have some really conscientious parents who know that budgets are tight
and money is short," Ott said. "It's kind of nice of them to send in the
money, but we'd rather the child be in school."

Capistrano Unified Supt. James A. Fleming said he had no plans to implement
anything like Los Alamitos' fund-raising.

Rather, trustees last week approved plans to reward students for good
attendance, using the extra revenue received at campuses with increased
attendance over last school year. Individual students will receive a range
of prizes for perfect or improved attendance, such as priority parking, a 3%
bump in their final grades and being entered in a districtwide drawing for a
brand-new car.

"We're using the carrot approach," Fleming said. "We've seen a tendency from
parents and children to be a little casual when it comes to attendance. We
don't think that's good for children's education, and we know it's not good
for our financial situation."

Children who are seriously ill shouldn't come to school, he said.

"But when you feel like starting the ski weekend a day early or you just
don't feel fully up to par, come on to school anyway," he added. "Children
cannot learn if they're not there."

In 1998, California policy regarding attendance changed so that even excused
absences for religious holidays or illnesses did not entitle schools to
funding. Also, secondary school teachers must take attendance every period,
and if a student is absent for one or more, the campus loses funding
accordingly.

Structuring funding that way is unfair to students, said Susan Wooley,
executive director of the Ohio-based national American School Health Assn.
It puts pressure on parents to force kids to come to school when they're
sick and prompts districts to make such unusual appeals as Los Alamitos has,
she said.

"Unfortunately, the reality of how we've set up the education system isn't
necessarily what's best for kids," she said.

If you want other stories on this topic, search the Archives at
latimes.com/archives.
LATSIClick here for article licensing and reprint options

Copyright 2003 Los Angeles Times