Dear Venice CUSD #3 Parents and Community,
I want to take just a moment to clarify the Illinois State Board of Education Public School Calendar as there continues to be some misunderstanding. The School Code Section 10-19.05 states, An Illinois public school year is 176 days of “pupil attendance.” Schools that do not meet the minimum lose 1/176th (0.56818%) of their state funding each day they fall short. Every year, each school board must create a calendar for the school term.
On Wednesday, May 3, 2023, the Illinois State Board of Education contacted me after receiving a message from a concerned anonymous individual that our 8th-grade students will not attend school after the May 18 graduation, leaving the students short of the mandatory 176 days of pupil attendance. As you know, we have three eighth-grade students scheduled to graduate on May 18.
To address the Illinois State Board of Education's concerns regarding our students complying with the 176 days of pupil attendance, I will notify the Illinois State Board of Education in writing that while our students will graduate on May 18, 2023, they will continue attending school until May 30, 2023, therefore complying with the 176 days of pupil attendance. I believe that the Illinois State Board of Education will require the Venice District to certify the attendance through May 30, of the three graduates.
Our Pre-Kindergarten graduation does not fall under the 176-day requirement; therefore, Pre-Kindergarten graduation will remain on Thursday, May 18th. All the other students are expected to attend school until May 30, 2023.
Please don’t hesitate to call me should you have any questions.
Thank you,
Cynthia Tolbert, Superintendent