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LPOSD updates student, staff absence rates

EMILY BONSANT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 2 months AGO
by EMILY BONSANT
I have deep North Idaho roots and graduated from Eastern Washington University with an English degree with a creative writing emphasis with a minor in film. I worked at at the Bonner County Daily Bee before coming to work at the Bonners Ferry Herald in August 2021. I enjoy writing for the paper that my great-grandfather read and covering the same small town community that is still alive today. I cover all things Badger sports, local politics and government, community news, business, outdoors and appear on the 7Bee podcast for the Herald's update. When I'm not working I can be found reading a good book and sipping tea, knitting or attempting to sign opera. | October 29, 2021 1:00 AM

PONDERAY — Lake Pend Oreille School District Superintendent Tom Albertson presented student and staff attendance data at Tuesday’s school board meeting.

Albertson reminded those in attendance that the data did not break down if students missed an entire day or if they were absent for a single period due to appointments. All that is tracked is absences for any part of the day.

Albertson said that the rise of absences at Sagle and Hope elementaries may be due to mechanical failures at both schools.

The week of Oct. 10, a pipe at Sagle Elementary broke in the kitchen and crews had to work through the night for school to open the next day. Albertson said that the school informed parents of the issue and that may have resulted in parents keeping students home, which would come up as absences.

At Hope Elementary, a similar situation occurred outside by the pumphouse the week of Oct. 17, said Albertson. The school also informed parents that night of the issue and there was a spike in absences the next day.

The superintendent said that the absence tracker by no means pinpoints specifies, but is a tool to look for trends. He thanked the maintenance department for their speed in repairs at both schools.

To answer a previous question from trustee Lonnie Williams on comparing absences that LPOSD sees currently to past years, Albertson said that in the 2018/2019 school year around this time attendance fluctuated from 89% to 97%.

Trustee Gary Suppiger asked the superintendent if he saw a rise in substitutes after raising the hourly wage. Alberttson said that it was too early to see a trend. More data in another week could add insight, he added.

Albertson said that in the week of Oct. 17-23, the district saw fewer absences than the week of Oct. 10-16.

“It looks to be 211 [absences] but there are a lot of schools,” said Albertson. “The good news is that out of the 178 needed subs we were able to fill 111 of those positions.”

Albertson clarified that when no substitute is available that those positions are filled with other teachers on their prep periods or a paraprofessional.

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