Williamsville Central School District staff told the Board of Education on Aug. 12 that discipline referrals and suspensions are decreasing, but that chronic absenteeism is a continuing concern — particularly at the high school level.

Superintendent Dr. Brownhall presented analysis accompanying the discipline and attendance reports and said the district’s discipline referrals are down and suspensions have decreased. Brownhall also told the board that an incorrect discipline report was uploaded in correction and that the district would re-upload the correct report by the following morning.

On attendance, the district defined chronic absenteeism as 10% or more of the school year (18 days absent in a 180-day year). Brownhall said chronic absenteeism is increasing in some areas and noted that among high school students the 12th-grade chronic absenteeism rate has risen “now over 30 percent.” The board discussed approaches that administrators will pursue, including targeted work by high-school administrators and engagement with student leaders and SCIAC (student groups) to identify root causes.

Board members and staff also discussed restorative practices as an alternative to punitive discipline. Brownhall said restorative practices have likely contributed to lower suspension rates. “The more they implement it, the less they have to use punitive measures for discipline,” he said. Dr. Spicer added that she has observed a shift away from punitive approaches and praised an analytical approach to tardies and absenteeism.

The district’s full analysis and historical data were posted in BoardDocs; Brownhall said the discipline report will be corrected and reposted by the next morning. No formal board action was taken; the reports were informational and will guide administration follow-up.