The Coeur d’Alene School District in Idaho is facing a major financial setback after losing $4.8 million in the last academic year.
The loss is directly tied to a significant rise in student absences, with nearly 1 in 5 students labeled chronically absent—a rate higher than the statewide average.
This growing problem impacts not only student learning but also school funding, teacher support, and classroom resources.
Absenteeism Cost the District $4.8 Million
How Missing School Creates Major Funding Losses
Idaho’s school funding model is heavily dependent on student attendance. For every day a student is absent, the district forfeits $45 in state funding. With chronic absenteeism affecting close to 20% of students, the financial losses accumulated quickly.
District leaders say that missing funds could have covered vital needs such as staffing, educational programs, and student services.
Why Students Are Missing School
Kathleen Corbeill, principal of Winton Elementary School, explained that the most common reasons for chronic absences are illnesses and extended vacations.
Many students miss multiple days at a time, and additional sick days often push them further behind. According to Corbeill, these absences “pile up pretty quickly,” affecting both learning and district finances.
School-Level Impact of Chronic Absence
Reduced Funding Hurts Individual School Budgets
Schools within the district feel the effects immediately. Canfield Middle School Principal Nick Lilyquist emphasized that when district-level funding decreases, individual school budgets also shrink, limiting available resources for students and teachers.
Incentives Schools Are Using to Improve Attendance
Weekly Prizes Encourage Students to Come to Class
To combat declining attendance, schools have introduced creative reward programs. Both Canfield Middle School and Winton Elementary School offer weekly prizes to students with perfect attendance, including Jamba Juice gift cards, candy bars, and classroom competitions.
Lilyquist said the goal is to keep students “excited and engaged” in showing up consistently.
Mascots and Incentives Boost Classroom Participation
At Winton Elementary, attendance incentives extend beyond individual rewards. Classrooms compete for a visiting wolf mascot, special treats, and daily recognition for achieving 100% attendance. Assistant Principal Amy Arlint said students eagerly wait at the door each morning, hoping to win the next reward.
Encouraging Parents to Prioritize Attendance
Communicating the Academic and Financial Impact
School leaders are also focusing on parent outreach to explain why regular attendance is essential. Lilyquist noted that when students are absent, they are “not achieving,” and missing school also has a clear financial consequence for the district.
Helping Parents Understand Idaho’s Funding System
Administrators want families to understand how Idaho’s funding formula works and why every school day matters.
Corbeill stressed that missing multiple days—especially in elementary grades—creates learning gaps in foundational skills. Increased awareness, schools believe, can help parents make better decisions about their child’s attendance.
Attendance Rates Are Beginning to Improve
Positive Results Seen Across Schools
According to Corbeill, attendance at Winton Elementary is “definitely better” than last year. Both Winton and Canfield report an increase in attendance as more students participate in competitions and incentive programs. Teachers say students are more engaged, and classrooms feel more lively when attendance is strong.
The Coeur d’Alene School District is working hard to reverse the financial and academic impact of chronic absenteeism. With $4.8 million lost in just one year, administrators, teachers, and families are taking active steps through incentives, parent outreach, and improved communication.
As attendance continues to rise, schools hope to rebuild their financial stability while ensuring students stay on track academically. Consistent attendance remains the key to better funding, stronger learning outcomes, and healthier school communities.
