District administrators report decline in chronic absenteeism but two schools may need corrective action plans

District administrators told the board the district has been working to reduce chronic absenteeism and will rely on corrective action plans where required under state reporting rules.

An administrator reported that state performance reports for 2023–24 triggered corrective-action-plan requirements for schools with 10% or more chronically absent students; those plans start with a parent survey to identify causes. For the 2024–25 school year, the administrator said only two schools exceed the 10% threshold and will require corrective-action plans when the 24–25 performance reports are released: Barkolo (by 0.8%) and Erickson, which historically has had higher absenteeism. "So when it's time to do the corrective action plans in the spring, when the 24-25 performance reports are released, the only two schools that will require corrective action plans at that time will be Barkolo by point eight percent and Erickson," the administrator said.

The administrator said the district changed policies last year to be stricter about excused versus unexcused absences, improved building-level communication, and used referral teams (previously called INRS, now "epic teams") to personalize interventions for students with the most unexcused days. The administrator also reported 8 cases of harassment/intimidation/bullying since the last meeting (4 founded, 4 unfounded).

Board members had no additional action at the meeting; staff said they will work with principals and PTOs at identified schools to determine causes and reinforce attendance messaging, and plans will be prepared for spring performance-report deadlines.