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Enrollment steady at 3,444; board briefed on recent attendance declines and illness effects
Summary
Superintendent and the district’s data presenter reported an enrollment of 3,444 students (down 53 from a year earlier) and described a recent regression in attendance tied to influenza, RSV, whooping cough reports and specific events that depressed daily attendance at several schools.
District staff reported enrollment and attendance data to the board. Dr. Harley said the district’s enrollment as of the meeting date was 3,444 students, a decline of 53 students compared with the same time last year.
Superintendent Jason Buckingham and staff reviewed attendance trends and said the district has seen a regression in average daily attendance since the fall. Staff attributed much of that decline to respiratory illnesses (flu, RSV and whooping cough), and also to specific community events that led to elevated absences. Buckingham gave examples from recent days: Mockingbird had about 85 students absent on a protest day, and Karen Western reported roughly 35–40 absences on the same day.
The superintendent noted chronic absenteeism rose most notably at Bloomfield and described work to address language barriers and family communication (additional interpreters and principal follow-up). He said buildings such as Karen Western and Ralston Middle School still showed positive performance in some measures, while high school attendance held roughly steady year-over-year.
District staff said they will continue targeted interventions at building and classroom levels to improve attendance and reiterated that higher absence rates can negatively affect achievement. The administration said it will reissue vaccination and health messaging and coordinate with school health partners as appropriate.
Direct quote: “Our enrollment as of today is 3,444 students,” Dr. Harley said.
