During a recent government meeting, officials provided a comprehensive update on student enrollment and attendance within the Bryan Independent School District (BISD). Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Kevin Besaw, along with Executive Directors of School Leadership, Bridal Merrell and Linda Montoya, presented key insights into the district's demographic studies and attendance initiatives.

The meeting highlighted the importance of demographic analysis in shaping enrollment projections. The district employs demographers to assess various factors, including historical enrollment data, building permits, and economic indicators, to forecast student numbers. The current projections indicate a stable enrollment trend through the 2031-2032 school year, with actual figures aligning closely with predictions—within a 1% margin.

Officials noted that while the district is experiencing growth in construction and permitting, the rate of school enrollment does not always mirror city growth. This discrepancy necessitates ongoing monitoring of school capacities, as current data shows that no schools are nearing full capacity, with some even below 80% utilization.

In addition to enrollment, the meeting addressed the district's attendance campaign, now in its second year. The campaign aims to improve attendance rates through various initiatives, including the distribution of attendance calendar magnets to families and a focus on reducing chronic absenteeism. As of October 4, the district reported a 95.37% attendance rate, an increase from 94.90% the previous year. However, chronic absenteeism remains a concern, with 17.8% of students classified as chronically absent.

To combat absenteeism, schools are implementing creative strategies. For instance, Veil Elementary has introduced morning meetings for chronically absent students to track their attendance progress, while other schools have organized attendance-themed events, such as dance parties and incentives for achieving attendance goals.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to enhancing student attendance and adapting to demographic changes, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed academically.