Attendance Counts: This Week Crucial For State School Funding (OH)

October 5, 2010

State funding for school districts is based upon the number of students in each of Ohio’s 613 districts.  "Count Week," as it is called by administrators, is always the first full week of October and counts toward the following school year.  District leaders say attendance is crucial this week because the state uses the average atten dance for all five days.

"From a financial perspective, many different types of funding that comes from the State of Ohio is based on how many kids are in class this week.  There are just a multitude of different areas, from special education to regular education.  We get a certain amount per pupil for every pupil that is counted this particular week," said Tony Swartz, treasurer for Groveport-Madison Local Schools.

Swartz said taxpayers should know that Count Week has no effect on their personal pocketbooks.

"It’s strictly how much the state is going to give us in the pool of money that is available to all the schools," he said.

Christine Boucher’s son is a sophomore at Groveport-Madison High School.  She said she didn’t speak to her son about Count Week, but makes sure he knows the importance of good attendance overall.  She also doesn’t think many parents are aware of Count Week.

"I don’t think it’s common knowledge and I think that if it was, they would realize the importance not just for today, but for all the time," she said.

Groveport-Madison Schools received about $5,700 per student from the state last year.

South-Western City Schools received approximately $6,200.

Count Week happens every year and runs October 4 through October 8 this year.  District administrators say they want parents and students to know that although the week determines the amount of state funding each district receives, it is important for students to be in class every day so they continue to learn.

Near ly two-million students attended Ohio schools during the 2008-2009 school year.