Fake Students?

In a City of fake voters, ghost pay rollers, and imaginary minority front firms, is anyone really surprised that the Chicago Public Schools system was (and continues) to use imaginary attendance figures to get a bigger slice of the federal pie?

• Attendance records obtained by the Tribune show that a handful of chronically truant students at Bowen Environmental Studies Team High School on the South Side were rarely marked absent. Instead they were listed as being on "school function" -- such as field trips -- for at least a month at a time. One girl was placed on "school function" for 50 straight school days, according to attendance sheets.

How about the Tribune look into system-wide inflation of attendance numbers, especially on Day One, always an entertaining event where children and families have to be lured to school with promises of free book bags, school supplies, trips and a car, instead of because it's the right thing to do if you want to get an education and a job later in life:

• Research shows that regular attendance is crucial to students' success. Public school districts receive state and federal money based on how many students are in school, so when kids drop out, funding dries up. Chicago's district estimates losing $18 million to $20 million a year in state money because of dropouts and truancy. Student attendance also helps determine staffing levels -- and whether school employees keep their jobs.

Um...we must be extra dense today, but could someone explain how the CPS loses $18 - $20 million a year if they aren't spending it on the kids that don't show up? Shouldn't that be listed as a savings?