Oshkosh schools report stable SEL screening and mixed academic-engagement indicators; attendance dips slightly below state average

District staff updated the school board Dec. 4 on social‑emotional screening, student extracurricular participation, employee engagement and attendance data, highlighting both areas of progress and persistent gaps.

The nut of the reports: Administrators said the district’s Sabers screening shows most students in the low‑risk band but persistent small groups identified as some or high risk; staff engagement rose in Gallup survey results; high‑school participation in activities increased from last year; and the district’s attendance rate (94.4%) is slightly below the state average by roughly half a percentage point.

Social‑emotional screening (Sabers): Mr. Kemmerer, who presented the Sabers results, described the tool and its use in grades K–5 (teacher ratings) and grades 2–12 (student self‑ratings). Based on the fall benchmark, 78 percent of students were rated low risk, 19 percent some risk and 3 percent high risk. Kemmerer said the district sees higher teacher‑rated risk for younger grades (K–2) and noted racial disproportionalities that are more pronounced in teacher ratings than student self‑reports. He also described a district‑wide SEL team that produces 90‑day school plans and monthly check‑ins with building representatives.

The district also announced it received a U.S. Department of Justice STOP school violence grant, described at the meeting as "nearly a million dollars over the next three years," to bolster SEL, equity and school‑safety work.

Student involvement and extracurriculars: A fall report showed 51.92 percent of high‑school students participated in one or more activities, up more than 15 percentage points from fall 2023 after the district took steps to improve data reporting and club registration. School leaders said gaps have narrowed for race, socioeconomic status and ESOL students, but students with disabilities remain less likely to participate — a focus area for the district.

Staff engagement: District human‑resources staff reported an elevated Gallup engagement score of 54 percent in fall 2024, up from 48 percent in spring. Actively disengaged employees dropped to 5 percent (from 8 percent). Administration credited rounding meetings, stay interviews and targeted compensation reviews for improvements and said they plan further work groups on recognition and compensation.

Attendance: Mr. Kemmerer reported a district attendance rate of 94.4 percent for the quarter, slightly below the state average by about half a percentage point. The district’s attendance committee has updated its letter of concern language to be more supportive than punitive and is automating notifications at an eight‑absence threshold. The committee is also exploring communication apps and outreach to families in local housing sites.

Board discussion: Board members pressed on causes for disproportionalities in screening and attendance, and on how screening ties to interventions. Kemmerer said teacher ratings are cross‑referenced with student self‑reports and academic and behavioral data to identify supports — for example small intervention groups, social‑skills instruction or executive‑skills supports. Several trustees praised the staffing and panel plans but asked for continued monitoring of racial gaps and targeted outreach to families.

What the district will do next: Staff plan continued monitoring of Sabers across three benchmarks per year, further outreach and equity work to close gaps, additional outreach to boost student involvement among students with disabilities, and continued automation and tracking for attendance interventions.