"Count Week" Is Important For District Funding; Assists In Keeping Taxes Low

All this week, Oct. 7-11, 2013, schools throughout Ohio will be taking attendance and checking it twice as "Count Week" is observed statewide. During the first full week in October, the state uses daily student attendance to determine the level of state funding each school district will receive for that school year.

We stress the importance of perfect attendance to our students on a daily basis, but due to the funding implications related to "Count Week", we try to reinforce the message even more because so much is at stake.

The state funding that we receive as a result of our student attendance from Oct. 7-11, 2013 helps to support teaching and learning throughout the school year. It is during this time that we secure much-needed resources to provide each student the best educational opportunities possible.

Our district stands to lose approximately $5,700 for each unexcused student absence during the week of Oct. 7-11, 2013.

As a district, Hamilton Local Schools operates on Tax Dollars that were passed in 1993. It makes our need for this state funding that much more important, and with perfect attendance from Oct. 7-11, 2013 we will be able to maximize funding resources that will assist us in keeping your taxes the lowest in Franklin County.

We continue to ask our parents, guardians, and students to make every effort to be in school every day because we can't teach if students aren't there to learn, and by showing your commitment to your education, the state will provide funding resources that our district needs in order to offer excellent teaching and learning opportunities for the children in our community.