Bibb County School District Superintendent expresses concern over unexcused absences, aims to prevent chronic absenteeism

Dr. Sims says his concern is that this trend continues and leads to chronic absenteeism. 

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Bibb County School District Superintendent, Dr Dan Sims, is expressing concern over unexcused absences during the month of August.

Dr. Sims says his concern is that this trend continues and leads to chronic absenteeism.

Sims shared a post on Facebook that gained community attention and concern. Sims says that the school district has seen a continued trend of unexcused absences.

The Bibb County School District averages above 90% of students showing up, but Sims says he is concerned about the other 10%.

Sims says students can miss 5 unexcused absences before a student becomes truant. He shares that he understands life happens and so does sickness, but his concern is unexcused absences.

“So I hear challenges in terms of transportation, sometimes there are siblings that need to take care of other siblings, of course illness,” says Sims. “We’re not blind to the fact that illness is a reason that one perhaps needs to miss school because we don’t want everyone sick.”

Sims adds “Sometimes it’s the case of not having adequate clothing or clean clothing. There are various reasons we hear.”

Sims says that there are resources available for students and families to help curb the growing number of unexcused absences.