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District details federal allocations for priority schools and outlines truancy interventions
Summary
District officials told the board that priority‑school federal allocations — roughly $100,000 for the high school and $90,000 for Northside Elementary — are being used for after‑school programs, assessment platforms and intervention staff; the district also outlined attendance interventions and truancy figures.
District staff reported that priority‑school federal allocations have been approved and that funds are being used for targeted supports. A district presenter said Colleton County High School has about $100,000 in priority funding and Northside Elementary about $90,000; high‑school funds are being used for a Twilight after‑school program, contracted services, formative assessment platforms and classroom resources; Northside funds are supporting reading and math interventionists and instructional materials.
Staff also described ATSI (Assistance to Schools in Improvement) allocations for Colleton County Middle School, Hendersonville Elementary, Forest Hills Elementary and Cottageville Elementary. The district plans to fund additional reading interventionists and professional development for principals and Office of Exceptional Learning leadership; some interventionists will be hired through Kelly Services.
Student support services staff outlined the district’s attendance and truancy work. They said South Carolina law considers students ages 6–17 truant after three consecutive unexcused absences or five unexcused absences in a school year. The presenter said that in 2023–24 the district identified 1,712 students as truant; as of Feb. 7 of the current year the district had 982 students identified as truant. Tier‑3 interventions are used for students with 11 or more absences and can include home visits, coordination with social services, mental‑health providers, Lowcountry or Department of Juvenile Justice referrals, and, as a last resort after district efforts are exhausted, referral to family court or assignment to alternative programs.
Why it matters: Federal and state funds targeted to priority and ATSI schools are being applied to intervention personnel and instructional resources; rising or persistent truancy can affect student outcomes and may require cross‑agency responses and budgeted intervention staff.
