Colonial officials say 318 students identified as homeless and cite transportation, shelter limits for attendance gaps

At the July 8 Colonial School District Board of Education meeting, district staff reported that 318 students were identified as McKinney‑Vento eligible this school year and described persistent transportation and housing barriers that contribute to chronic absenteeism.

District visiting teacher and homeless coordinator Ed Stefan told the board the district “has over 15 hotels that accept housing vouchers” and said motels and short‑term voucher rules create repeated displacements. “The issue specifically with all the motels, the vouchers are usually a 2 week voucher,” Stefan said. “After that, depending on your situation, you may get an extension, you may not.”

The board heard that the Hope Center, a shelter referenced by staff, has roughly 467 beds and that the opening of that facility increased student homelessness at its feeder schools. Stefan said the Hope Center’s opening in the district “was a huge increase for specifically Castle Hills and George Reed whose homeless numbers tripled after the open end of the Hope Center.”

Transportation logistics were a central focus. Miles Camacho, the district transportation contact described the vendor bidding process used to assign vans and private carriers: schools submit locations, vendors report availability and the district typically requires 24–72 business hours to begin service. “Minimal, you're typically at least 48 hours, sometimes as many as 72 business hours,” Camacho said. Staff and the board said capacity—whether a vendor has open seats—often determines how quickly a student gets picked up after a move.

Staff explained how attendance codes interact with these barriers. Ed Stefan said displaced students awaiting routed transportation are placed on excused absences while the district establishes service. Board members were told chronic absence is measured by missed days of instruction and that 18 days is a common threshold for intervention; staff said many chronically absent students are also homeless because repeated moves disrupt transportation and school connection.

Board members and staff detailed supports the district uses: onsite registration and transportation setup, partnerships to supply clothing and shoes (staff cited donated coats and “Shoes that Fit” contributions), and Communities in Schools staff in buildings to coordinate help. Stefan described the first steps: “I typically start with helping schools get them registered and transportation set up.”

Board members asked for district comparisons and additional state data. Staff said statewide reporting varies and that local service center tools can produce the district’s attendance and homeless counts quickly; the board asked staff to compile comparative numbers for other nearby districts and to return with updated active truancy/case lists.

The board did not take formal action on the report; members requested follow‑up data and reaffirmed continued support for Communities in Schools and transportation planning.

Ending: Board members praised the district staff working on homelessness and attendance and asked that the follow‑up comparative data be circulated to the board before the next meeting.