Julie Wootton reports there’s a variety of reasons why students might not show up at school.

Whatever the explanation, it affects more than just their academic progress. School districts receive state funding based on the average number of students who show up each day – not the number of students who are enrolled.

Seven south-central Idaho public school districts – Bliss, Camas County, Glenns Ferry, Hagerman, Hansen, Richfield and Wendell – have at least one thing in common. They’ve all seen at least a 3 percent drop in attendance this year, according to the Idaho State Department of Education.

For some, it’s because they have fewer students enrolled. But that’s not the case in every district.