Lee County Schools Commit to Regional Strategy to Boost Attendance

Corbin, Ky. — The question was simple: “Why would a student want to come to your school?”

At one table, a teacher paused, then scribbled on the chart paper: “Because someone notices when they’re not there.”

That message—and dozens like it—echoed across the Corbin Center on July 29 as attendance teams from Lee, Letcher, and Powell counties gathered to kick off the Rural Partnership Attendance Project, a year-long initiative led by Partners for Rural Impact (PRI) to reduce chronic absenteeism through positive, preventative strategies.

“When students feel like they matter—when they feel connected and cared for—they show up,” said Mrs. Holly Riddell, 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher, Middle School Athletic Director and District Liaison for Lee County Schools. “We may be a small district, but we’re able to give our students big opportunities. From mental health supports to summer feeding programs, mentors and opportunities to get involved, we’re working every day to make sure school feels like a place where students belong.”

Throughout the day, district teams explored the root causes of chronic absences—ranging from transportation barriers to student disengagement—and developed customized strategies to strengthen belonging, well-being, and relevance in their schools.

“Chronic absenteeism isn’t just about test scores—it’s about dropout rates, long-term economic stability, and the health of an entire community,” said Dr. Tony Maxwell, Associate Director of Attendance and Engagement at PRI. “When a student is chronically absent, the ripple effect touches families, educators, and local economies. That’s why this work has to be shared—between schools, families, and the broader community.”

Each district created a vision for what makes their schools worth attending, identified root causes contributing to absenteeism, and began developing action plans that they’ll continue refining during virtual sessions this fall. The project will culminate in a second in-person convening in early 2026.

“Lee County has always cared deeply about our students,” Riddell added. “This project is helping us turn that care into systems and strategies that help students show up and succeed—not just academically, but in life.”

The Rural Partnership Attendance Project is part of PRI’s broader effort to improve student outcomes across Appalachian Kentucky by addressing barriers to success—both inside and outside the classroom.

For more information or to support attendance efforts in Lee County Schools, contact the district office at (606) 464-5000.