Bullitt County schools honored for attendance as district eyes 94% goal
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Summary
District staff presented attendance awards to 11 schools and highlighted districtwide trends, including a 93.62% district attendance rate last year, a 50% reduction in students with 15+ unexcused absences and chronic absenteeism below the state rate.
Attendance awards and district attendance trends were presented at the Bullitt County Board of Education meeting, with administrators recognizing 11 schools that met or exceeded a 94% annual attendance threshold and outlining districtwide progress. Mr. Smallwood, the district official leading the presentation, said, “We just missed that as a district last year. We had 93.62 as a district.”
Why it matters: Consistent student attendance is linked to academic outcomes and the board emphasized continuing strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism across the 2025–26 school year.
District details and honors: Mr. Smallwood said the district set a 94% attendance goal; 11 schools achieved 94% or higher for the 2024–25 school year. He listed schools and reported percentages during the presentation, naming Cedar Grove Elementary (95.41%), Crossroads Elementary (94.37%), East Side Middle (94.87%), Freedom Elementary (94.15%), Mount Washington Elementary (95.77%), Mount Washington Middle (94.51%), Old Mill Elementary (94.20%), Overdell Elementary (94.17%), Pleasant Grove Elementary (95.41%), Riverview Opportunity Center (94.82%), and Robey Elementary (94.09%).
Improvement and chronic absenteeism: The district also recognized “most improved” schools across grade levels: Roby Elementary (elementary, +1.17%), Hebron Middle (middle, +1.03%), Bullitt Alternative Center (specialized programs, +3.93%), and Bullitt Central High School (high school, +1.18%). Mr. Smallwood reported the district reduced the number of students with 15 or more unexcused absences by roughly 50% and finished the year “around under 20 percent” for chronic absenteeism, below the quoted state rate of 28%.
Staff and volunteers: Mr. Smallwood thanked social workers Jennifer Ballard and Heidi Webb, attendance secretary trainer Sandy Hutchins, and all 26 school attendance secretaries for their roles in the improvements. He also announced a community incentive: on Sept. 9 a local coffee shop, Big B Coffee, will offer 50% off specialty drinks to students and staff who show proof of attendance.
What’s next: The district said it will continue monthly attendance competitions (a traveling belt for elementary, middle and high schools and an "improvement chain" for month-to-month gains) and will track progress toward the 94% goal for the 2025–26 school year.