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District reports steady decline in disciplinary incidents but flags chronic absenteeism
Summary
District staff presented quarterly data showing most schools are trending down on behavioral incidents this year, while chronic absenteeism remains a focus: the district defines chronic absence as 10% of the school year (about 18 days) and is rolling out state programs and targeted interventions.
District staff presented attendance and behavior data to the Gloucester County School Board on May 13, showing a mixed picture: behavioral incidents were down at most schools in third quarter, but chronic absenteeism remains a concern.
Katina Keener, who presented the slides, reminded the board that the district follows the state definition of chronic absenteeism — missing 10% or more of an academic year, roughly 18 days — and that quarterly review helps spot trends and direct interventions. Keener said that the division’s third‑quarter incident counts included about 1,000 recorded incidents that required administrator involvement; she noted incidents appear in district logs whenever an administrator intervenes, whether that intervention is a conference, in‑school support or suspension.
Keener described multiple responses the district is pursuing: quarterly MTSS (multi‑tiered systems of support) data meetings at each school, family and community engagement, targeted professional development for staff, and the state’s in‑person flexible instructional time program that allows chronically absent students to make up seat‑time. Keener said repeat offenders represent a small share of incidents and offered a rough estimate that about 10% of students account for repeat disciplinary entries.
Board members asked whether suspensions were counted as absences for chronic‑absence calculations; Keener said suspensions are included in attendance totals but cautioned the relationship between suspension and chronic absence varies case by case and would require student‑level review. Directors said they will continue analyzing cohorts and transitioning strategies into summer and next year interventions.
Board members praised the presentation and requested continued updates on the rates and the district’s results from attendance teams and family engagement efforts.
