This article from KTAB in explains the potential impact of low-attendance on school district budgets. They point out that this year’s higher-than-usual flu season could mean the loss of roughly $800,000 in Abilene ISD. School business offices will want to be certain they are updating revenue estimates with up-to-date average daily attendance (ADA) projections to prevent an unwanted surprise when actual attendance data is rolled into the foundation school program (FSP) calculations this August in preparation for settle-up.
If your district, or a specific campus in your district, was hit with days of low attendance due to inclement weather, health, or safety reasons, you may want to consider applying for a low attendance day waiver. To qualify, you will need to be able to document that attendance was at least 10 percentage points below the average for the district (or applicable campus) for the prior year, and the reason for the low attendance.
The relevant rule can be found in the student attendance accounting handbook, section 3.8.2.3, and you can seek a waiver by applying through the TEA automated waiver system. According to the TEA website, low attendance waivers must be submitted by the end of July for the current school year. If granted, the waiver will allow the day to be excluded from ADA calculations for use in providing state aid under the FSP.