OCALA, Fla. — Chronically absent, it is a term that refers to students who have missed at least 10% of the school year to date. It’s something that’s happening in school districts all over the country, including in Marion County. Now the district is doing something about it.

Marion County Public Schools is continuing their partnership with Attendance Works, a nonprofit that addresses chronic absenteeism by “using a positive, problem-solving approach grounded in an understanding of educational inequities.”

This year they’re starting a new campaign, “Be present, be powerful,” with the goal of getting kids back in the classroom learning.

For West Port High School’s Assistant Principal and Track & Field Coach, Terrell Davis, it’s all about showing up. Not just to practice, but to class.

“Grades come first. If you’re not disciplined in the classroom. Odds are you’re not going to be discipled on the track,” he said.

Davis was a professional track athlete, specializing in 400 and 800 meters. He retired back in 2006 and traded the track for a career in education. Now he’s inspiring the next generation of track and field athletes.

“As a coach, you get to see so many aspects of the athlete. You understand, it’s not just about them showing up and running each day. It’s about what they do the day before to prepare, what’s going on at home, what’s going on in their head,” said Davis.

But there are expectations for these students. Not only do they have to show up to school, but they must have a B or above to be a part of the team.

Marion County Public Schools said last year’s daily attendance average reached 90.91%, which is the highest since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They have been brought up in an environment through COVID, where being present wasn’t necessarily the norm. It is now, and it’s back to being the norm,” said Kevin Christian, Director of Public Relations for Marion Co. Public Schools.

As for Davis, the season is heating up, but so is the attendance. This school year the daily attendance average is 94.33% something Davis and district leaders want to continue to increase.

“We are really tight with our track athletes to the point that if you don’t come to school, then you don’t come to practice. Don’t pop up from practice all the sudden if you haven’t been at school all day. Believe me, I’m going to check,” said Davis.

Marion County Schools is asking parents, guardians and community members to hold students accountable for getting to class. If the community can be on the same page, the district says they can make a real change in the students’ live.