Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Attendance Concerns topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parent raises chronic absenteeism concerns; superintendent pledges follow-up
Summary
A parent told the board his children had missed dozens of days and cited state guidance that chronic absence may meet the threshold for educational neglect; Superintendent Karen Gray said district staff will follow up and check on the children.
A community member addressed the board during public comment to report that his children had missed large numbers of school days (he cited roughly 50 days for his daughter and 25 for his son) and asked what the district's attendance procedures are and whether the absences constituted neglect under state guidance.
The parent said he had raised the issue with classroom teachers and the attendance office and that he had been advised to contact the Department of Human Services. "I'm here first," the parent said, asking the district to take note.
Superintendent Karen Gray acknowledged the concern, described the district's attendance follow-up practices and said staff have an attendance team and access to services who make home visits when necessary. "We do have compulsory attendance laws. The problem is the state gives us no teeth to enforce them," Gray said, but she also pledged district follow-up for the family and said she would check on the children and asked a board member (Trinity Bonahan) to touch base with the parent after the meeting.
Ending: The superintendent and board members committed to follow up with the parent; Gray said staff will check attendance records, engage attendance services and contact the family.
