SHREVEPORT, La. -- Caddo Parish Schools Superintendent Keith Burton told board members Tuesday that bus driver absenteeism has dropped 52% since the district began offering incentives and recognition for attendance.

He says that improvement has helped keep every route running -- a big change from last year.

"Very excited about that. If you see a bus drivers, an attendance clerk, a principal. Just thank them because the wheels on the buses are going around and around on all routes, which is nice," Burton said.

At the campus level, Adkins Elementary saw student attendance climb from 88% to 94%. J.S. Clark, Broadmoor, Riverside, Walnut Hill and Westwood also posted significant gains.

Truancy numbers are also dropping fast. Broadmoor Elementary cut its total from 32 to 15 students, and Tu

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