Superintendent and student‑services leaders on Tuesday praised special‑education staff for classroom work and reported continued declines in chronic absenteeism districtwide, saying every subgroup’s absenteeism rate dropped and the district’s rate is lower now than it was last January.

The superintendent highlighted a classroom visit to SAI teachers at Van Meter (special instruction teams working with students with learning differences) and introduced several staff by name. “These teachers are hitting a home run and we should be very proud of the work that they're accomplishing,” the superintendent said while summarizing classroom observations.

Misty, who the superintendent identified as the district employee who “heads the whole student services and special education program,” told the board the district had large improvements in chronic absenteeism: she reported that the district ended the 2022–23 school year with 331 students who were chronically absent and that, as of the meeting, the district’s absenteeism rate was lower than it was last January. In staff comments Misty said, “Where we stand right now, we are lower than I reported to you last January… as of today, we're at a 44,” and noted county officials invited the district to present its strategies because every subgroup’s chronic absenteeism dropped.

The superintendent also reported near‑term administrative actions: the Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) has circulated an architect rating scale for interviews and the district will soon begin hiring a bond construction manager. Staff noted the CBOC recruitment must begin as soon as the board accepts election results; staff said a government financial services webinar will explain CBOC responsibilities and timing. “Timing of that is we're required to have the CBOC established 60 days once the board has accepted the results of the bond election,” staff said, and staff indicated the 60‑day clock begins when the board accepts election results.

Staffing and leadership updates: the superintendent said the district will begin searches for a construction manager, an assistant superintendent and a permanent principal for Van Meter in the coming weeks. The district also described two leadership development programs underway (site leadership preparation and an executive leadership academy) and said participants are working on the TK presentation.

Next steps: staff will continue to present chronic absenteeism data to principals and the county office of education, proceed with FAC selection steps and begin CBOC recruitment per the timeline discussed. The superintendent and staff thanked SAI teachers, aides and families for the improvements in attendance and classroom outcomes.