Work has begun on the majority of the projects contained in the $80 million facilities bond issue approved by LCISD voters on May 9. In fact, the 3^rd grade classroom addition (6 classrooms) at North Elementary “opened for business” when school began on August 24. North’s Early Childhood, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten classroom addition (11 classrooms) will be ready at the beginning of the 2010-11 school year. The athletic facilities – football stadium / eight lane competition track, baseball field, softball field – will be completed for the 2010-11 seasons.

Because of the sheer size and complexity of the second middle school and fourth elementary campus, those two buildings won’t open until the 2011-12 school year.

On behalf of the LCISD Board of Trustees, staff, and students, I would like to once again thank the “Cooper Community” for approving this facilities bond issue. Because of your consistent support, Lubbock-Cooper ISD will have the requisite facilities that will allow us to continue building the future one student at a time!  
 

Student attendance in the public schools is very important for two reasons. First, and most important, is the simple fact that students can’t learn if they are not in school. The second reason that student attendance is important is because a school district’s funding is based, in part, on student attendance – the higher the student attendance, the more money the district receives from the Texas Education Agency.

In Texas, attendance in the public schools is not optional, it is mandatory. Compulsory School Attendance is outlined in Section 25.085 of the Texas Education Code. A violation of this law is a Class C Misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine up to $500.00 plus court costs. Section 25.094 of the Texas Education Code states that an individual commits an offense if the individual:

1.         is required to attend school under Section 25.085; and

2.         fails to attend school on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year or on three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period.

An offense under this law may be prosecuted in a justice court of any precinct in the county in which the individual resides or in which the school is located. The school district has the option to file a complaint against the student, the student’s parent, or both.

In addition to the Compulsory School Attendance requirements, T.E.C. Section 25.092 (Minimum Attendance for Class Credit) states that “a student may not be given credit for a class unless the student is in attendance for at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered.” A student who is in attendance for at least 75 percent but less than 90 percent of the days a class is offered may be given credit for the class if the student completes a plan approved by the school’s principal that provides for the student to meet the instructional requirements of the class.

As one can see, student attendance in the Texas public schools is a serious matter. Obviously, students will become ill from time to time and we certainly don’t expect, (or want), them to come to school when they are ill (this will be especially important this winter with the expected return of the H1N1 flu virus). However, with the exception of illness, students are expected to attend school as required by law. Absences for personal reasons such as hair appointments, shopping, spending time with visiting relatives, etc., are not allowable reasons for a student to miss school and will result in the absence being labeled “unexcused.” It is these unexcused absences that could ultimately result in a complaint being filed in the Justice of the Peace Court by the LCISD Director of Student Services, who is responsible for enforcing compulsory student attendance within the district.

Prior to taking any legal action, LCISD will make several contacts with parents to inform them that their child’s attendance has become a concern. After a student has accumulated three absences, a computer generated letter will be sent to the parents. This is a courtesy letter only – no further action will be taken by the school. Most campuses will send out another letter after the student’s fifth absence. Following the seventh absence, a student will be required to present documentation from a health care professional for subsequent absences to be considered excused.

Student attendance within Lubbock-Cooper ISD has historically been very good – yearly attendance rates are routinely in the 97% range. We want to keep it that way. Given the rapid growth of the district’s student population, it is very important that we remain vigilant with regard to this very crucial aspect of our students’ educational experience. We very much appreciate the support of all of our parents in this endeavor.