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District reports high chronic‑absence rates, corrects reporting process and outlines outreach plan
Summary
Curriculum director Mark Russo and interim superintendent Phelps told the board that chronic absenteeism is elevated, with seniors disproportionately represented; the district found it had been over‑reporting daily absences to the state, adjusted coding procedures and outlined outreach steps including automated notices, home visits and climate‑team follow‑up.
Board members heard a data review on chronic absenteeism that the administration described as both concerning and actionable.
Mark Russo explained the state reporting definition: a student is chronically absent when they miss 10% or more of school days for reporting purposes, and that a student present for less than half the instructional day is marked absent for that day. "Chronic absenteeism for state reporting purposes... is a student missing 10% or more of school days," Russo said, and he presented the district's 2024–25 figures showing elevated rates.
Key findings: the district reported that at Pascack Hills seniors made up roughly 52% of chronically absent students and at Pascack Valley seniors were 43% of the chronically absent population; over 20% of students with disabilities were chronically absent; and 32% (PV) and 37% (Hills) of chronically absent students were only one or two days over the cutoff.
Mr. Phelps summarized results of a parent survey (108 responses) identifying top reasons for absences: health/illness (87% of respondents cited at least one health‑related absence), medication issues (16%) and mental‑health/emotional stress. "We received 108 responses, which is a lot for parent surveys," he said, and recommended using that feedback to design supports such as flexible scheduling, tutoring and transportation assistance where feasible.
The administration acknowledged a procedural issue in state reporting and said it "was over reporting daily absences to the state." After consulting legal counsel, the district adjusted procedures immediately and expects the clarified method to materially reduce next year's chronic‑absence figures. Russo described interventions under consideration: early positive acknowledgement for students who begin accumulating absences, automated communications, home visits, group family outreach and collaboration among teachers, administrators and families.
Board members asked about survey details, demographic breakdowns and whether staff attendance or substitute patterns affected student attendance; Russo and Phelps said the climate team will present more disaggregated demographic data and the district will convene follow‑up meetings.
What happens next: The district will refine reporting and present climate‑survey demographic analyses in a coming meeting; staff will begin early‑warning communications to families and targeted outreach to students nearing chronic‑absence thresholds.
