Attendance Matters

Dear Eagle Community,

This week marks an exciting milestone for our district—the official start of our first four-day school week. We have looked forward to this change for many months, and I am eager to see the opportunities it will bring for our families, staff, and students.

For our families, this schedule provides a unique chance to spend more time together or to explore learning opportunities through our community daycare partners and organizations. For our staff, it enhances our ability to recruit and retain high-quality educators by providing them with additional time for rest, planning, and professional growth. As a district, we have identified potential savings in transportation, electricity, gas, and other operational costs by operating one less day each week.

With these opportunities also comes responsibility. Above all else, we remain an instructional organization—and student achievement must stay at the center of everything we do. That means making the most of every minute we have together. From the first bell to the last, our classrooms must remain focused on learning.

On the four days we are in session, every student and every staff member matters. Attendance is critical. Not only does attendance directly impact student learning, but the district also loses valuable funding when students and staff are absent. A single, missed day of school (even an excused absence) costs Decatur ISD about $70 per student, per day, in state funding. For big drops in attendance, such as for unofficial senior "skip days," the district can lose a collective $14,000 in state funding. Together, we can make sure that every instructional day counts.

This new calendar is a partnership between the district, our families, and our community. I am confident that by working together, we can make it a success—one that strengthens our schools, supports our teachers, and most importantly, helps every student achieve their fullest potential.

Thank you for your trust, commitment, and support as we begin this new chapter. I am excited about what lies ahead for our community.

With gratitude,

Taylor Williams

Decatur ISD Superintendent