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Shawnee Mission officials cite lower chronic absenteeism, rising graduation rate and expanded mental-health supports
Summary
District leaders told the board that chronic absenteeism fell to 17.7% and the graduation rate rose to 89.7% as programs including McKinney‑Vento supports, Project HOME and expanded mental‑health training aim to keep students enrolled; a recommendation on adding five elementary counselors will be presented in February.
At a Shawnee Mission School District board workshop, district leaders reported measurable improvements in attendance and graduation and outlined expansion of student supports across the district.
Christy Ziegler, the district’s chief of student and family services, presented a dashboard showing a district chronic absenteeism rate of 17.7% for 2025 and a graduation rate of 89.7%, both improvements from the prior year. "My best and first answer is connection," Ziegler said when asked what most contributed to improved attendance, adding that staff and school leaders are focusing on early intervention and relationship‑building to reengage students.
The update described several programs that aim to reduce barriers to students staying in school. Officials said 389 students were…
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