Ditch Day Economics: California Schools Paying $35 a Day, Per Kid

In my coworker’s email this morning, from the school principal:

Hi parents. My sources have told me that seniors are planning a ditch day tomorrow. I hope that is not the case because ditch days are considered unexcused absences and everyone who participates in a ditch day, tomorrow, or any other day, will be issued a Saturday School that must be served before graduation in June. Unexcused absences cost our district roughly $35 a day for each student who ditches. In this economy we cannot afford to lose any money. We have a senior picnic in May that is meant to give seniors a day to celebrate off school grounds. Please help me by requiring your child to attend school daily. Thanks for your support.