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District attendance improves average daily rate but chronic absenteeism remains above state average
Summary
District average daily attendance rose to about 94.2% as of March, but the district's chronic absenteeism rate remains about 23%, higher than the statewide average of 17%; administrators said cultural factors and winter sports travel contribute and outlined local tracking and intervention improvements.
Assistant Superintendent Johnson and school leaders reported to the board on April 8 that the district’s average daily attendance (ADA) has improved to roughly 94.2% as of March, up from last year’s 92.6%, while chronic absenteeism remains elevated at about 23% compared with a cited statewide rate of about 17%.
Johnson said the district is celebrating an improved ADA figure and credited stronger attendance tracking and consistent practices across schools after a change in student information systems. But she flagged chronic absenteeism—students missing more than 10% of school days—as an area for continued work and noted the district’s definition aligns with policy (six absences per trimester or 18 per year).
Administrators and principals attributed part of the chronic absenteeism rate to local conditions—rural travel, widely‑valued winter sports that require travel, and family vacation patterns. Principals said some chronically absent students nevertheless remain academically engaged and urged tracking academic outcomes for students who miss extended time to determine whether attendance‑related absences are harming graduation or skill attainment.
District staff said they have improved interventions: more consistent attendance marking, early intervention and formal contracts for students at risk of chronic absenteeism. One principal reported contracts with students have been reduced nearly in half compared with a year earlier. Trustees and staff discussed approaches such as academic thresholds for extracurricular participation and working with partner organizations (coaches, event schedulers) to reduce school‑day absences where possible.
No policy change was proposed at the meeting; administrators said they will keep working on interventions and data reporting and recommended coordination with partner organizations to reduce avoidable school‑day absences.
