District staff presented three information reports at the July 8 board meeting: student performance baseline data and 2025–26 targets, the 2025 climate survey results, and the May year‑to‑date budget report.

Student performance and attendance: Doctor Grimm and Mister Connolly showed two‑year trends and targets. The district reported declines in chronic absenteeism over two years and set a 2025–26 chronic‑absenteeism target of 23%. For 2024–25, chronic absenteeism decreased systemwide by about 8.7 percentage points to 25.2%. Middle school attendance improved by about a point, and the district said elementary, middle and high levels all showed incremental gains.

Early reading: Using DIBELS and AMIRA diagnostics, staff reported notable kindergarten and grade‑1 improvements from fall to spring (kindergarten: students needing intensive support dropped from 41% at the start of year to 25% at year end; kindergarten students at core support rose from 40% to 63%; grade 1 intensive support dropped from 28% to 12% with core support rising from 48% to 72%). Staff characterized these as positive signals for early literacy work, while noting reading becomes more complex in later grades.

Graduation and college/career readiness: The district reported incremental increases in four‑year graduation rates and increases in students meeting college‑and‑career readiness (CCR) metrics under evolving state definitions. Staff noted the changing state criteria for CCR in successive years complicates direct year‑to‑year comparisons, but reported growth in participation in AP, honors and dual‑enrollment courses and growth in students earning industry certifications and CTE credentials.

Climate survey: The 2025 climate survey recorded more than 105,000 responses — a 25% increase from the prior year — and was offered in 20 languages; 4,632 translated responses were recorded. Staff said response rates rose across parents, staff and students; overall school climate indices were in the favorable range across elementary, middle and high schools. Staff noted high participation but invited additional outreach to groups with lower response rates.

Budget report: Acting finance staff presented the May year‑to‑date general fund report. Year‑to‑date general fund revenue was about $1.8 billion (≈92% of budget); expenditures were about $1.84 billion (≈93.9% of budget). Payroll and benefits comprise the bulk of spending (over 82% of the budget). Staff said two activity areas were temporarily over budget through May (administration — ERP project; maintenance of plant), but that after the board’s June supplemental appropriation and transfers are incorporated, activities are expected to be balanced at year end. Special revenue/grant highlights included the concentration‑of‑poverty grant (~$37M), Title I (~$57M) and special‑education pass‑through (~$33M).

Ending: Board members asked for follow‑up reports and noted the district’s progress on attendance and early reading; staff committed to ongoing monitoring and public reporting of outcomes and implementation.