School official shows gains in attendance and improved county education rankings

District staff presented updated attendance and community‑level education metrics that the administration said reflect progress in student engagement and provide context for local expectations.

Laurie Schwancker (presentation lead at Grafton High) reviewed an "Break the Chain" professional‑development focus and shared county metrics comparing educational attainment and need across West Virginia’s 55 counties. She said Taylor County ranked 16th statewide for share of residents with bachelor’s degrees or higher and, separately, was fourth in the state on the direct‑certified list used to identify lower‑need communities. Schwancker framed the figures as evidence that the district should not routinely use county socioeconomic status as an excuse for student outcomes.

The superintendent pointed to attendance data in the packet showing increases in daily attendance as of Oct. 15 and a drop in the county chronic‑absence rate from 18.656% to 16.9% year‑over‑year. Board members asked clarifying questions about cohort movements (for example, how seventh‑grade proficiency compares year‑to‑year as students move into eighth grade); staff explained the data cover several school years and include cohort shifts.

Administrators said the data will be used to guide professional development and district efforts to sustain gains; they also noted that some measures (for example, the direct‑certified list and census measures) should be interpreted with multiple data sources in mind.

The board thanked the presenters for the report and asked staff to bring further context if more granular analysis is needed.