• Principal Bart Wegenke

MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The attendance of students not only affects how full the school buildings are themselves, but it also determines just how full the school's pockets will be.

October 2nd saw the Okemos and Haslett School Districts take part in the annual fall count day.

With two count days per year, the fall count allocates 90 percent of the foundation allowances schools receive, the amount based on the number of students in attendance.

These funds are used for various programs and other expenses within the schools..

"It's that, the count days are extremely important," said Bart Wegenke, principal of Haslett High School. "It's definitely a moment in time on our calendars that we do encourage all kids to be here because we know as a result if we can get all of our kids here, then ultimately our programs can continue to be funded and we're giving our kids the best opportunity to be successful."

The Haslett School District is up this year by 14 to 17 students. Okemos also rose in the the number of students attending.

The next count day in February will determine the remaining ten percent of the school's funding.