Montgomery Public Schools addressing student attendance issues

Montgomery Public Schools has announced a new effort at getting more students to attend classes regularly.

Today, the school system said that Montgomery County District Attorney Azzie Oliver and Montgomery City Council member Oronde Mitchell will serve as school attendance ambassadors.

A news conference was held at Peter Crump Elementary School, where Superintendent Dr. Zickeyous Byrd and community leaders gathered to highlight the importance of consistent school attendance.

As attendance ambassadors, Oliver and Mitchell will help raise awareness about the consequences of chronic absenteeism, while also working to inspire students to remain engaged in their education.

“Children between the ages of six and 17 are required to attend school,” Oliver said. “If your child is not in school, not only are you limiting the child’s future, but you are breaking the law. Truancy and chronic absenteeism, which are often stepping stones to dropping out of school before graduation, have consequences for children, the adults these children will become, and the society in which they live.”

“Regular attendance matters not only for individual success but for the health of our community,” Mitchell said, “When people show up, prepared and engaged, collaboration improves, momentum builds and milestones become reachable. This issue explores how consistent presence, whether in classrooms or in the wider world, amplifies collective progress. Attendance isn’t just about being present; it’s about contributing to the whole.”

Dr. Byrd expressed his excitement for the partnership, emphasizing their importance of being a role model for students.

“District Attorney Oliver and Councilman Mitchell understand that improving attendance is about prevention, support, accountability and following the law,” Dr. Byrd said. “By working together, we can connect families to resources, reinforce the importance of daily attendance, and send a clear message that every day in school matters. This partnership gives us the momentum to address challenges directly and ensure our students have every opportunity to succeed.”

The initiative is part of the school system’s school attendance awareness campaign, Be Present. Be Prepared. Be
Productive. to support student success by engaging families, schools, and community partners in reducing chronic absenteeism across the district.