Acadia Parish board recognizes new administrators, proclaims September Attendance Awareness Month and discusses truancy follow-up

At a meeting of the Acadia Parish School Board, trustees recognized a slate of new school and district administrators and approved a proclamation naming September 2024 as Attendance Awareness Month.

District staff introduced newly appointed leaders for the 2024–25 school year, including Allen Lee (principal, Ross Elementary), Casey Vircher (principal, North Crowley Elementary), Whitney Bishop Bland (instructional assistant, North Crowley Elementary) and Crystal Benoit (principal, Estherwood Elementary). "We would like to take this time this evening to recognize new school and district administrators for the 2425 school year," said a district representative (Speaker 6). The board invited the administrators to the front for a group photo and thanked them for accepting their roles.

The board then approved a proclamation to mark September as Attendance Awareness Month after a motion from Mrs James Adams and a second by Mr Higginbotham; the measure passed by voice vote. The proclamation accompanies an attendance initiative the superintendent described as a monthly challenge intended to reward schools showing growth in attendance, with the broader goal of improving academic outcomes.

Board members raised questions about the accuracy of early attendance reports and whether the small number of schools recognized so soon reflects incomplete data. District staff said teams are working to clean up ‘‘no-show’’ records and that Home/Site Liaisons and the central office are following up. "They are taking the no show list. They've made contacts to try to make sure that those students are not gonna attend," Speaker 6 said, describing outreach efforts.

Trustees also discussed the district's truancy process. District staff told the board they are coordinating with local judges to revisit thresholds for referring students to truancy court — a change prompted in part by the district's move to a four-day week, which affects how attendances are counted. The board emphasized the need for clearer, enforceable steps to hold families and students accountable while continuing outreach and supports.

The meeting closed with trustees praising the district newsletter and urging principals to provide photos and stories so more schools receive publicity. The board adjourned after approving routine consent items and several motions (see "Votes at a glance").