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Gilmer County Schools reports improved attendance, superintendent warns of state retention rule for third grade
Summary
District attendance improved year to date, but the superintendent warned the board that House Bill 3035 could require retention of third graders who do not meet state standards beginning in 2026 and outlined steps to reduce impacts.
Gilmer County Schools reported measurable attendance improvements and outlined preparations for an incoming state retention policy.
The superintendent presented attendance figures showing the high school at 93.55% year-to-date attendance with a chronic absenteeism rate of 17.87%. Elementary attendance was reported at 95.13% with a countywide chronic absenteeism rate of 15.26%. The superintendent said countywide chronic absenteeism had dropped by roughly 10 percentage points from the prior year and described monthly attendance teams, parent meetings and targeted interventions as drivers of the improvement.
On state policy, the superintendent told the board that under House Bill 3035, to take effect in 2026, "any student that does not meet standard in the third grade will be retained." The superintendent said the district has begun planning interventions for current first- and second-graders, including parent meetings and targeted instruction, to reduce the number of students who could be held back.
The superintendent also said the state's "live grades" gradebook server will no longer be supported after this school year; the district will select an alternative gradebook and provide training to staff and parents.
Board members praised the attendance work and asked for continued monitoring. The district will report further data and implementation plans at future meetings.
