Attendance matters, especially on Michigan's statewide Count Day

DETROIT (WXYZ) - It’s important to be in school every day, but in terms of money, Wednesday was particularly important for districts across the state.

Wednesday was the fall “count day.” The number of students in Michigan schools today is the attendance number the state will use to determine how much funding each district will receive.

Funding is based on two count days, one in the fall and the other in the spring. This year, the fall count made up for 90% of the allocation, while the remaining 10% will be determined in the spring.

“That goes for the books, the supplies, this wonderful building that you see, salaries, everything,” said Gerlma Johnson, the principal at the Amelia Earhart Middle and Elementary School in Detroit.

Earhart students were surprised by volunteers from MGM Grand Detroit who showed up today at their school. The school parking lot was taken over by an inflatable slide and basketball game. MGM’s mascot, the lion, also made an appearance.

Leaders of Detroit Public schools have said their goal is to have 65,000 students in class. Right now, more than 70,000 are enrolled in the district, but on any given day only some 60,000 show up.

The district says it’s too early to reveal any numbers for the fall count day. Of course some children weren’t in class because of excused absences, such as for an illness. Michigan school districts can still count them so long as it is documented.