Board opens committee to study chronic absenteeism and teacher retention, requests per-school data

Board members returned to unfinished business to discuss chronic student absenteeism and teacher retention. Dr. Keith and other board members said they want per-school absenteeism reports and data on how many substitutes are being used so the district can analyze patterns and correlations with student achievement.

Dr. Keith asked for details by school and for comparative days (for example, whether absences spike on specific days) and suggested the need to understand how much planning time teachers lose to new program trainings (MTSS) and how that may affect morale. Several board members volunteered to support a study committee and emphasized the need to limit the number of board members on a committee and to assign a central contact to coordinate the work.

Board members asked staff to compile existing data and to provide the absenteeism and substitute counts in board connections so the committee can begin its review. The board said the committee should consider both student absenteeism and teacher retention, examine substitute frequency and look for correlations with academic achievement, with staff to report back as the committee develops recommendations.