Westminster Public Schools Superintendent Doctor Gatto told the Board of Education on Aug. 26 that the district is emphasizing student attendance this school year and has secured a small amount of funding through the Adams County collaborative management program to support creative attendance incentives.

"Tomorrow morning, the Colorado Department of Education will release statewide attendance data reinforcing the message about the importance of being in school," Doctor Gatto said. He said the district asked principals to submit proposals for how to deploy the funds.

District officials framed attendance as foundational to learning and said the first days of school are focused on relationships and instructional priorities. Doctor Gatto said the student services coordinator, Pete Rainey, had already contacted principals to solicit ideas for incentive programs.

Board members responded with personal anecdotes underlining the importance of showing up. Several members praised the district's focus on attendance and homework and noted that attendance can be improved with targeted, local efforts.

No vote was taken; the discussion produced a staff direction to collect proposals and return with implementation ideas to the board.