Yuma Union study session reviews absenteeism data; district pilots ParentSquare alerts to trim first‑period tardies

The Yuma Union High School District Governing Board met in a special study session to review chronic absenteeism data, discuss causes and campus responses, and preview tools the district is using to contact families and reengage students.

Board members and staff heard district survey results and attendance snapshots showing elevated chronic‑absence levels since the pandemic and a range of reasons students give for attending school. Presenters emphasized that, under Arizona’s accountability definition, chronic absence counts any absence — excused or unexcused — that exceeds 10 percent of the school year.

The district’s chief communications officer, Patton, said the district’s climate and culture survey drew at least 4,100 student responses in each of the last two years and more than 5,000 students in 2025, roughly a 40 percent response rate of the district’s roughly 10,800 enrollment. Patton said in 2025 a new survey option, “friends,” was selected by nearly three‑quarters of respondents as a reason they come to school; other frequent responses included graduation, career and technical education (CTE), athletics, academics and clubs. "Over 14 percent, almost 15 percent,…