Focus on Reducing Chronic Absenteeism
The Bibb County School District is making a strong commitment to tackle chronic absenteeism in the 2025-26 school year. Leaders have pledged to enforce attendance policies more rigorously and provide better support for families to ensure students return to the classroom. This effort is one of two major priorities for the district, alongside improving literacy, which are long-standing challenges across the district.
Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year. In 2025, 28.5% of students in Bibb County were chronically absent, according to state data. While this represents some improvement compared to previous years, it still exceeds the state average. Superintendent Dan Sims emphasized that addressing this issue is crucial for student success.
To combat this problem, the district plans to implement early intervention strategies and increase parental accountability. A new position has been approved by the Bibb County Board of Commissioners in July: a truancy specialist. This role will be funded for three years using $345,000 from revenue generated by automatic speed zone cameras at schools. The specialist will not only assist with truancy and court-related matters but also work to identify and remove barriers preventing students from attending school regularly.
With the start of the school year on August 4, the district's immediate plan includes reaching out to families who have had attendance issues in the past and monitoring these students' attendance from the beginning. Sims said the district will support families facing challenges but will also hold parents accountable when necessary.
"Families should expect more communication from us regarding attendance," he said. "There will be more teeth because ultimately, it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to ensure their child is at school."
Sims stressed the importance of balancing compassion with urgency. He wants to ensure that children understand the value of regular school attendance while also providing support to families. He emphasized that the goal is to prevent students from missing school for extended periods without any explanation.
Understanding the Causes of Absenteeism
While factors like transportation issues, bad weather, and health concerns contribute to high absenteeism rates, Sims noted that specific causes are often difficult to pinpoint. "We can't always determine why students are chronically absent," he said. "It's unfair to the child to have them miss so many days without being able to communicate with the school about the issue."
Sims aims to find a balance between understanding the challenges families face and taking decisive action. He wants to ensure that students attend school every day and that parents are involved in the process.
Role of the Truancy Specialist
The newly approved position of truancy specialist is different from a traditional truancy officer. Rather than simply enforcing rules, the specialist will focus on identifying and addressing the underlying barriers to attendance. This approach emphasizes community engagement and collaboration with families.
"The specialist will help us identify what those barriers are and if we can remove them," Sims said. "This is more of a community engagement approach."
The district already has a truancy task force that meets with families to discuss attendance concerns, but the full-time specialist will allow for faster and more targeted interventions. In cases where court involvement is necessary, it will be a last resort.
Sims hopes the truancy specialist will begin working before the school year starts. A spokesperson for Macon-Bibb County confirmed that Mayor Lester Miller has signed the resolution authorizing the funding for the role, and the process is moving forward through the county system. There is a possibility that the county may continue funding the position beyond the initial three years.
Community Collaboration and Legislative Changes
The district’s efforts come as Georgia’s Senate Bill 123 takes effect. This law updates the state’s compulsory attendance laws and requires school districts to take a more proactive approach in addressing absenteeism. Under SB 123, local boards of education must adopt policies that support chronically absent students rather than penalizing them. It also ensures that students cannot be expelled solely due to excessive absences.
Sims said the district is already taking steps to meet these requirements. "We've started that process with the judges here," he said. "While it's nothing entirely new, we appreciate the additional emphasis."
The district’s approach aligns with the intent of Senate Bill 123 and relies on strong community collaboration. "It's important for us to strengthen our relationship with the community," Sims said. "We don’t want it to be us against them, but we also can’t ignore the importance of ensuring students are in school."