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Petersburg schools aim to cut chronic absenteeism; district establishes attendance task force and prevention plan
Summary
Superintendent and staff outlined an attendance strategy that includes a new attendance task force, early‑warning data review, home‑visit support, community partnerships and targets for reducing chronic absenteeism. District officials reported chronic absenteeism at about 32.5% as of Dec. 20, 2024 and said preventive steps will be prioritized.
Petersburg City Public Schools officials told the board they will intensify efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism by using a preventive, division‑wide approach and a new attendance task force.
Chief of staff Dr. Yasmin Gay told the board the task force will analyze school‑level attendance data, run early‑warning systems, coordinate family‑engagement campaigns, and recommend staffing and program changes. Gay said chronic absenteeism was 38.75% in 2021–22, fell in 2022–23, rose to 35.12% in 2023–24 and was 32.53% as of Dec. 20, 2024.
The district stressed that chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year — roughly 18 days in a 180‑day year, or about…
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