Othello High presents data-driven "success team" approach as attendance and grades improve

Othello High School administrators presented a data-driven plan to the Othello School District Board, saying weekly "success team" meetings and color-coded thresholds are improving student attendance and academic outcomes.

The presentation explained that school staff now use a green/yellow/red system to track academics, attendance and behavior and to trigger targeted supports such as after-school tutoring, Monday morning corridor interventions and Saturday school. "It's not about labeling kids; it's about a way for us to keep score — how's the health of our system at the high school," said Scott, an OHS staff member involved in academics.

The school reported 91% of current seniors are on track to graduate and described a focus on sophomores and freshmen where data showed more students needing support. Administrators said they run a weekly "F list" to identify failing students and align interventions. Credit-recovery options include online Edgenuity courses, summer school and targeted testing that lets students focus only on missing units.

Attendance procedures were described in detail: automated messages via ParentSquare, human calls, tiered success meetings with students and parents, loss and restoration of off-campus lunch privileges, and, if needed, community engagement board steps and truancy procedures. Josh, an OHS staff member involved in attendance, said most of the improvements have been concentrated on unexcused absences, which the school tracks separately.

Administrators credited an off-campus lunch privilege and new perimeter fencing with improved accountability and safety. They reported a 40% increase in daily attendance since the policy began and a high point of about 720 lunches served in one week. The team also warned of facility strains: the cafeteria seats roughly 350 while more students remain on campus for lunch, prompting plans to buy movable seating and explore a two-lunch bell schedule.

Staff described the "hub" classrooms and Opportunity Program used for students who need smaller-classroom environments or who are suspended short-term. The district's SkillSource partnership and a state Open Doors Reengagement program provide alternative diploma or GED pathways and work-placement supports.

School leaders outlined next steps: streamlining the parent view of student status (exploring ParentSquare and Skyward displays such as color indicators), better real-time data sharing with teachers, and refining success-team processes. "We're actually taking action with the data that we're doing," an OHS administrator said, citing improved grades and engagement compared with last year.

Board members and parents praised the presentation and asked staff to return with practical demos of parent-facing tools and updates on planned seating and supervision changes.

The board recessed the presentation after public praise and moved to other agenda items.