Board highlights chronic absenteeism: 135 students missed 20+ days
Summary
The director reported 135 district students had 20 or more absences (defined as chronic absenteeism), with targeted interventions planned including letters and social-service referrals; board requested follow-up on illness-related absences.
Attendance and chronic absenteeism were the focus of a district report presented Jan. 12, with the director of schools asking the board to consider interventions for students missing significant time.
Dr. Weeks said the district’s December attendance rate was 94.1% and identified 135 students across the district who had missed 20 or more days—a threshold the district treats as chronic absenteeism under its accountability model. He named several schools with students meeting that threshold, including Coopertown Middle (26 students) and Greenbrier schools at various grade levels.
Dr. Weeks described interventions the district is using: sending letters to families, connecting families to district-employed social workers and community social services, and coordinating with schools on scheduling around breaks to reduce avoidable absences. A board member asked whether some of the students with 20+ absences have chronic illnesses; Dr. Weeks agreed to follow up with more detail.
Ending: Board members requested additional information on how many chronic-absence cases are illness-related; staff will investigate and report back.
