"We hold drawings for fabulous prizes, such as TV's and DVD players," boasted attendance clerk Gina Johnson.  "But only those students who have perfect attendance are eligible." 

The plan was started when the school district promised Tichenor $10,000 in additional school funding, provided that the average number of students who showed up each day met or exceeded 95%.

Tichenor hit 96.2%, a school record, with a whopping 37 students having not missed a day of school.

Some health officials have questioned the methods employed by Tichenor, who say it encourages legitimately sick students to come to school and spread viral and bacterial infections.

"The root of poor attendance is not students who miss a day or two of school due to an illness, a funeral, or other personal family business," said George Dobson, head of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  "It's students who have a frequent rate of absence and tardiness due to unexcused absences and irresponsible parents who sign excused absence forms without a note from a doctor.  A healthier way to hit the 95% attendance target is to reward students who do not fall into the latter category, thus not penalizing those who are genuinely sick."

Tichenor principal Buddy Schwierjohann disagrees: "How else can we create a system of peer pressure towards those who are genuinely sick, thus grooming young adults for a workforce where missing even one day of work is frowned upon?  Plus, what kid wants to eat lunch at our Perfect Attendance Banquet at Ryan's Steakhouse with some loser who had the flu in February?"

Dobson says Mr. Schwierjohann's comments are reminiscent of a 1980's employer mentality, where cash awards were given to employees with perfect attendance.  The practice was stopped after Human Resource departments finally recognized that the company lost more money when employees were out of work for weeks, even months, and that this was a direct result of chronic infections brought on by keeping perfect attendance when ill.

"Tichenor officials have no such motivation," explained Dobson.  "Instead, they see only the quickest path to the 95% attendance rate that guarantees the additional funding they so desperately need."