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Truancy policy advanced to first read; committee emphasizes early intervention and community referrals
Summary
The committee recommended first read of Policy 5113.2 (truancy), underscoring monitoring triggers (four absences in a month, chronic 10% threshold), school-based attendance teams and referrals to community partners such as Danbury Youth Services for re-engagement.
The policy committee voted to send Policy 5113.2 (truancy) to the full board for a first reading, emphasizing earlier triggers for intervention and the district’s role in coordinating community services.
Kelly (staff member) summarized the draft: chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10 percent or more of school days and truancy flags may be raised after a student is absent four or more days in a month. The policy calls for district and school attendance teams to monitor student-level data and to make referrals, with family consent, to community partners (staff referenced Danbury Youth Services) for engagement and support.
Committee members asked who monitors the numbers and what teams perform interventions. Kelly said the district and school teams both track attendance; Kara Wanzer and her data team pull monthly reports and school-based attendance committees meet regularly to review flagged students and deploy interventions. The committee discussed referral resources and noted reduced family-liaison staffing because of lower grant funding; the superintendent has proposed restoring liaison positions in the upcoming budget.
Al moved and (Juanita) seconded a motion to recommend the truancy policy for first read; the motion carried by voice vote. The committee asked staff to continue collaboration with Danbury Youth Services and other agencies when referrals are appropriate.
