Board revises attendance policy to emphasize chronic absenteeism reporting and compliance

The board approved a revision of Policy 5030 (student enrollment and attendance) that emphasizes the district’s approach to chronic absenteeism and aligns language with state attendance guidance.

Board member discussion highlighted how a student becomes chronically absent under the district’s interpretation of state guidance: missing 10 percent of the school year equals chronic absence, which at a typical 180‑day calendar occurs on the 18th missed day. A district official explained that both approved and unapproved absences count toward that threshold and that there are a limited set of exceptions the district trains secretaries to apply.

Trustees discussed accountability and supports. Board members described an existing county truancy/attendance board structure that has historically begun at site levels and suggested moving toward an umbrella model to deploy limited staff resources more efficiently. They noted support from school resource officers and Community in Schools to locate absent students, bring them to school and to provide supports.

A motion to conduct the reading and discussion of the revised policy was made, seconded and approved by voice vote; the board directed staff to continue work and to consider bringing the attendance issue back on a future agenda for deeper brainstorming and cross‑agency coordination.

Nut graf: The policy revision centers chronic absenteeism in the district’s compliance framework and acknowledges the operational limits of exceptions and the need to coordinate truancy/attendance work across sites and partner agencies.

Ending: Trustees asked staff to agendize a follow‑up discussion about parent accountability, cross‑agency resources, and opportunities for Community in Schools and others to support attendance work.