Our schools are struggling here in St Joseph Missouri. They were struggling before COVID but now they are imploding. Our funding is currently linked to attendance which is adding to our lack of funding now. Many students are falling behind the strive for 5 days missed campaign due to illnesses and quarantines. My daughter has been able to maintain her high grades despite absences but was still threatened to take her credits earned and not be allowed to attend prom because she missed too many days. These are days she was sick or under the advice of a doctor who told her to stay home.  Why should our schools, teachers, and students be punished for circumstances outside their control? Masks may have helped but due to the efforts of our Attorney General suing schools, our district is too scared to mandate masks.  Extra cleaning costs money and our schools are on a shoestring budget with no hope of things getting better anytime soon. There is constant talk of another school closure due to budget deficits. If our schools can get funding for Virtual Academy students then why take from them due to the in-person students needing to go remote for quarantine or illness? This policy is causing more harm than good and is not in the best interest of the people it is serving. Our students and families need compassion and understanding during this difficult time. We are in a pandemic this is not a time to punish those that will/do fall ill.