Last Friday, I reported the chronic attendance problem that Escambia County Public Schools have, but I only focused on the percentage of students in the regular schools missing 21 or more days. The U.S. Department of Education defines chronic absenteeism as missing 10% or more of the school year.
When you include all the charter schools and other alternative education programs, more than 15,000 students in Escambia County missed 10% of their classroom time last school year.
The FDOE report revealed 15,376 students were chronic absentees (36%), with Escambia County Acceleration Academy (92.1%), Pace Program (88.8%) and Achieve Academy at McMillan (83.7%) with the highest rates.
Among the county’s five charter schools, Jackie Harris Preparatory Academy had 49.8% of its students missing 10% or more of their classes. Byrneville Elementary had 45.5% chronically absent.
What about the regular public schools? Warrington (49.3%), Navy Point (50.4%) and O.J. Semmes (60.7%) were the three elementary schools with more than 49% of their students missing 10% or more days. Four of Escambia’s eight middle schools had more than 40%: Ferry Pass (40.9%), Workman (46.1%), Beulah (46.5%) and Warrington (56.7%). The high schools did better, with only one, Pine Forest (45.7%) above 40%.
Overall, the middle schools have the most significant problem with attendance, with an average of 39% chronically absent. The elementary and high schools both average at 34% – and elementary schools should have the best attendance.
How much money have the taxpayers given the Escambia Children’s Trust since voters approved the additional property?
Fiscal Year – Cash Received
2021-2022 $10,098,953.68
2022-2023 $10,264,048.50
Total: $20,360,002.18
2023-2024 $11,403,470.00 (budget)
Thru Sept. 2024: $31,766,472.18
This is why I pay attention to how the Trust operates and spends your tax dollars. The question lost in the board meetings and backroom dealing:
How have our children benefited from the $31.8 million?
