During a recent government meeting, significant discussions centered around student attendance and the implementation of new policies aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism in schools. The meeting highlighted a notable decrease in chronic absenteeism, with preliminary data indicating that 10.8% of students were chronically absent last year, down from 21.1% the previous year. This improvement reflects ongoing efforts to engage families and support students in maintaining regular attendance.

The meeting also introduced a series of initiatives for Attendance Awareness Month, including a postcard competition designed to encourage students to attend school. The competition invites students to create postcards emphasizing the importance of school attendance, with selected designs being distributed to students identified as chronically absent. Additionally, the district plans to reward schools with the best and most improved attendance records, fostering a competitive spirit among students and staff.

A new board policy was also approved, allowing for short-term independent study for students who will be absent for up to 15 days. This policy aims to ensure that students can keep up with their studies while being away from school, thus counting their absence as attendance if they complete the assigned work.

The meeting concluded with a report from Liberty High School, which acknowledged Suicide Prevention Week and celebrated the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month with various educational activities. The school also highlighted recent student excursions to local community colleges and parks, emphasizing hands-on learning experiences.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to improving student attendance and fostering a supportive educational environment.