Othello High School administrators told the school board they have implemented new campus controls, started ID scanning for off-campus lunch privileges and opened a Hub Center that consolidates student services, online learning and short-term intervention supports, administrators said.

"We've been really looking at creating systems and resources for all of our students and our staff so that they know that they're known and cared for," said Kat Atchison, principal at Othello High School, describing the goals behind the changes.

Why it matters: administrators said the measures aim to reduce chronic absenteeism and tardiness, keep students safe on campus and support on-time graduation. Leaders presented both operational details — fencing the back area, closing a gravel lot, issuing parking passes — and programmatic supports housed at the Hub Center, such as Hub classes, an online digital learning (ODL) pathway and an Opportunity Program for short-term suspended or at-risk students.

Operational changes. School staff said they began by closing one exit and reducing four planned off-campus exits to three after observing traffic and use patterns. They introduced ID scanning at exits and initially used scanning only to accustom students to the process; staff said the next step is to use the district's digital permission system so scans will reflect whether a student has parental permission to leave campus. Administrators described a visible permission marker in the scanner system — a "blue O" — that indicates parent permission during rollout.

Staff described changes to the parking process: student drivers must present a driver's license, vehicle registration and insurance to obtain a free parking pass that must hang in the car. Administrators said they are still developing enforcement and next steps for students who park without a pass, including warnings, parent conferences and possible fines or parking-privilege removal.

Thresholds and consequences. Assistant administrators described a three-tier "green/yellow/red" threshold system based on behavior, academics and attendance. In the board presentation, staff explained that failing zero classes is considered green, failing one to two classes is yellow, and failing three or more classes is red; similarly, credits behind and chronic absences factor into a student's tier. School staff said off-campus privileges will be tied to the thresholds: green students will be eligible to leave campus; yellow or red students may have restricted privileges and interventions.

"If they're in green, they get to go," said Brenda (OHS staff) while outlining how the school will pull tardy and attendance data and begin conversations with students about potential loss of privileges.

Hub Center and student programs. Administrators described the Hub Center as a consolidated front office and student-services building that houses the online digital learning (ODL) program, the Opportunity Program (short-term supervised instruction for students who are suspended or need a different setting), counseling supports, migrant student advocates and other resources. Kat Atchison emphasized that "hub classes are just normal core classes" placed variably across the campus to provide smaller-class supports without isolating students.

The ODL option is an Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) that requires a student learning plan and significant time-on-task; staff said students accepted into ODL are subject to enrollment screens and progress monitoring and that the program uses Edgenuity as one platform. The Opportunity Program is a short-term supervised option for students who would otherwise be out of the classroom for disciplinary or other reasons; staff said the program is designed to prevent students from falling further behind academically.

Communication and technology. School leaders reported a push to increase family engagement through ParentSquare and Skyward. Administrators said they posted a digital permission form for off-campus privileges in ParentSquare; they reported that about 855 families had engaged with the system and completed the permission process to date, up from about 200 families previously engaged. The district is also pushing coaches and club leaders to use ParentSquare to ensure archived, district-managed communications.

Board questions and next steps. Board members asked about staffing needs for scanning and how the school will enforce parking rules and tardy limits. Administrators said they will phase in the permission checks, monitor tardies and attendance data, and continue outreach to families. Staff said they hope to integrate the permission checks fully by late September but did not give a specific calendar date at the meeting.

No formal policy change or board vote was taken at the meeting; the board received the informational report and asked administrators to return with implementation progress and any recommended policy language if enforcement or program rules need to be codified.