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Caddo Parish superintendent credits higher bus-driver attendance with improved student attendance; district reports declines in truancy
Summary
Superintendent Burton told the board the district has seen significant attendance improvements, citing a 52% drop in average daily bus-driver absenteeism and improvements at several schools. Board members asked for district-by-district breakdowns and the number of daily routes (270).
Superintendent Burton presented district attendance data to the Caddo Parish School Board, saying districtwide attendance and truancy rates have improved and linking part of that success to increased bus driver attendance and targeted incentives. "We made it a big deal to emphasize attendance ... the average daily absenteeism per bus driver has decreased by 52%," the superintendent said, adding the district had fed bus drivers and met them in person to thank them.
Burton highlighted pilot schools with notable improvements: Adkins increased from about 88% to nearly 94% attendance, Broadmoor's truancy count fell from 32 to 15 students, and Turner fell from 53 to 26 students. The superintendent asked board members to thank principals and attendance staff for the progress.
Board members and staff discussed adding context to the report. Board member Rochelle suggested showing the number of routes run daily; transportation staff member Greer reported "270 routes." Rochelle and others asked for district-by-district breakdowns so board members can see results for their own districts. "Is there any way we could get something like this per district?" one board member asked; the superintendent replied affirmatively.
Burton also noted two capital bids that had been approved as part of consent: a wing at Donny Bickham and a bathroom renovation, which the superintendent said came in favorably and should help reduce route gaps. The board did not take separate action beyond already voting the items on the consent agenda earlier in the meeting.
