MARION — Regional Superintendent Lorie LeQuatte says the most pressing issue facing schools today is not just test scores or staffing, but making sure students are in their seats every day.

“Most kids are about a year to a year and a half behind what they would have been before COVID,” LeQuatte said. “But the bigger problem is chronic absenteeism. If you’re not at school, especially in elementary grades, you’re not getting that foundation in reading, writing and math.”

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