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District reports rising enrollment and falling chronic absenteeism but flags Castro for high chronic absence and concentrated high needs
Summary
Staff reported enrollment growth to about 4,640 students and described declining chronic absenteeism across subgroups; Castro remains the district's highest‑need campus, with elevated chronic absence and high percentages of socioeconomically disadvantaged and English‑learner students.
District staff presented an enrollment and attendance update showing modest districtwide enrollment growth and reductions in chronic absenteeism over the last three years, and they described targeted attendance strategies underway.
Miss Steiger (district staff member) and her colleagues said district enrollment is increasing after COVID‑era declines: the presentation cited a recent enrollment snapshot of approximately 4,640 students and noted TK expansions at multiple sites. Staff showed site‑level enrollment shifts (increases at Crittendon and Castro; declines at some other schools) and said some increases in the economically disadvantaged count reflect more families enrolling in free/reduced‑price meal programs and the ELOP after‑school program.
The team reported that districtwide average daily attendance has a 97% goal and several schools are at or above that target. They noted chronic absenteeism (students absent 10% or more of days) has declined for most subgroups but that certain reasons for absence remain prevalent: illness is the largest cause, and travel/vacation during the school year produces an early‑year uptick. The staff said site-level attendance review teams, updated attendance protocols and monthly data reviews are part of the strategy, and they promoted parent outreach, independent study information and community incentives.
Public commenters gave local examples: a parent‑led attendance campaign at Bub showed measurable improvement, and another parent at Therakoff asked whether choice‑school transfers (lottery placements) are capped because heavy transfers to Stevenson have reduced PTA participation and fundraising at the neighborhood school.
Trustees requested follow‑up on several items: clarity on independent study and how families request it (so absences can be excused), a deeper look at choice‑school enrollment impacts on neighborhood schools and options to broaden library access and dual‑immersion programming. Staff said site visits and continued outreach are ongoing and that the district will continue to report monthly attendance data to trustees.
