In a recent government meeting, significant funding recommendations were made to enhance student attendance and health and safety initiatives. The administration proposed a budget of $17,090,000, which includes $115,000 for a new Senior Coordinator of Dropout Prevention, aimed at addressing the ongoing challenges of student retention.

The proposed coordinator position is intended to support high school graduation coaches and attendance technicians, with the goal of improving student engagement and reducing dropout rates. Currently, each high school has two graduation coaches, but the administration believes additional coordination is necessary to effectively tackle the issue of absenteeism.

In addition to the coordinator role, the budget allocates funds for various tools and resources, including $21,125 for external recruitment, $25,000 for applicant verification software, and $50,000 for portable fingerprint systems to be utilized at job fairs. Furthermore, $40,000 is earmarked for human resources case management software, which is expected to streamline HR processes.

The transportation category also saw a significant recommendation, with $800,000 proposed for MKV student transportation costs, highlighting the administration's commitment to ensuring students have access to reliable transportation.

During the meeting, board members engaged in discussions about the necessity of the new coordinator position and the overall strategy for improving attendance across all school levels, emphasizing the importance of early intervention starting from elementary education. The administration underscored the need for a coordinated approach to effectively manage attendance and support students throughout their educational journey.