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District 99 board approves attendance-focused statement of work to curb chronic absenteeism
Summary
Board approved a district statement of work prioritizing student attendance for 2025–26, pairing increased accountability with targeted interventions and a timeline for summer planning and fall implementation.
The Community High School District 99 Board of Education approved a statement of work on attendance for the 2025–26 school year that centers on reducing chronic absenteeism by pairing accountability and consistent consequences with supports and interventions.
The plan, presented by Gina, a district staff member, was approved unanimously after board members received survey results from 158 staff respondents and a proposed summer timeline that includes professional learning and administrative planning. "Our primary focus... falls under the domain of growth of student ownership and agency and falls under the measure of success around attendance," Gina told the board.
Nut graf: District leaders framed the statement of work as an operational priority that ties directly to the district strategic plan. The board-approved approach commits administrators to specific next steps over the summer — including a presentation by EAB, administrative professional development and drafting of work plans — so new attendance strategies can launch with students in August.
Board members heard data comparing the district’s chronic absenteeism rates with county and state measures and reviewed internal monitoring tools described as part of the district’s 5Lab data dashboard. Gina said staff-reported priorities showed support for pairing interventions and supports with greater consistency and accountability. The district surveyed staff on whether they would support the proposed statement of work; responses were summarized and will inform planned professional learning.
Administrators described an early test of student scanning at a high school entrance as a working example of attendance infrastructure; staff reported many students used digital IDs on their phones. The timeline presented to the board calls for an initial EAB presentation immediately, draft plans shared June 16, a July update on summer work and full implementation beginning when staff return and students arrive in mid-August.
The board approved the statement of work by voice vote (mover: Ken Dawson; seconder: Kara Casten). The formal motion passed with unanimous recorded support from board members present.
