Darien Teacher Absences Above State Rate

DARIEN, IL – The rates of teacher absenteeism in two of Darien's three elementary school districts were above the state average last school year, according to the Illinois Report Card.

The state measures the percentage of teachers who are absent for at least 10 days.

Locally, Cass School District 63 reported the highest absenteeism rate last school year, with 38 percent who missed at least 10 days. Center Cass District 66 and Darien School District 61 were 36 percent and 16 percent, respectively.

Those numbers compare to a statewide rate of 34 percent.

In response to a Patch inquiry, Cass District 63 Superintendent Mark Cross said his district's teachers are highly professional, but they are also human beings.

"Over the previous three school years, 20 of our teachers have taken time off for a new baby," Cross said in an email. "School employees also become ill themselves, take care of sick children, and tend to aging parents. We've had several fight major health battles as well."

He continued, "Like the rest of the world, teachers do occasionally require time off. The difference for teachers is they cannot work remotely, they need another person to take their place, and they have to make detailed plans for the person taking their place, often the morning they need to miss. Therein lies proof of how important their job is."

Over the last three years, Darien District 61 has seen a big drop in teacher absenteeism. In 2021-22, 47 percent of teachers were absent for at least 10 days in the district.

Hinsdale High School District 86 also saw a big drop in teachers who missed at least 10 days, which was 24 percent last year, down from nearly 50 percent the previous two years.

Under state law, the rate excludes absences for professional development, leave under the Family Medical Leave Act, long-term disability or parental leave.

The U.S. Department of Education sees teacher attendance as a leading indicator of student achievement. Teachers with regular attendance provide continuity of instruction and attention to individual students, according to the Illinois Report Card.

"The National Bureau of Economic Research has shown that when teachers are absent for 10 days or more, student outcomes decrease significantly," the report card said. "Teacher absence results in loss of instruction time for students, as well as financial concerns to the district when substitutes must be employed."

Source: Illinois Report Card, 2023-2024