Addie McCluskey
Elmore Autauga News
The Elmore County Board of Education (ECBOE) declared September “Stay in the Game” month at their monthly August meeting.
This proclamation, launched in partnership with Elmore County Juvenile Court, emphasizes the importance of consistent attendance as a key factor in academic success.
“We want to keep the pressure on and educate parents, students, and teachers about the importance of attendance, which is why we started the ‘Say in the Game’ initiative,” said Ben Baxley, District Judge for Elmore County.
Juvenile Court officials have identified truancy as a growing concern, noting that absenteeism in Elmore County schools exceeds the 20% rate higher than the state average, according to the National School Boards Association.
“We are looking for improvement this coming school year,” said Baxley. “Our goal is to push absenteeism below 5%, and I think we can do that with patience, communication, and awareness that attendance matters.”
The ECBOE is urging parents, educators, community members, and local leaders to partner with schools and families to promote strong attendance and student success.
