It would be easy for Maui kids to leave the state. They just have to hop on a bus and go across the border to relatives. Then enroll where their relatives or friends live.
Umm, no. Flight manifests could be crossed checked with the names of missing kids to see exactly how many have gone overseas.
When you register into a new school you have to state your previous school(s). Of course records would not be readily available, at least paper records, but the new school could at least compile a list of new students attending their schools.
You are assuming incompetent school officials would actively seek information and cross check lists.
Nope, they are merely whining that 1700 kids haven’t enrolled in THEIR system.