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Yelm schools prioritize attendance in five‑year strategic plan; district to update attendance policy
Summary
District staff told the board the strategic plan’s first goal is attendance, describing OSPI best-practice steps, a plan to draft a new attendance policy and a May first reading after a study session; the strategic planning committee will meet June 11.
District staff presented an update on the Yelm Community Schools strategic plan on March 26, saying the first priority for the five‑year plan is improving attendance across grade levels.
Dr. Lisa Cordero Smith, speaking for the strategic‑planning committee, said the committee built measurable goals and is establishing metrics to track progress. Kurt Foray summarized midyear data and highlighted three district bright spots, including improved ninth‑grade on‑track rates and targeted gains in early‑elementary math and fourth‑grade literacy. "The very first goal of our strategic plan is attendance, and it's the right goal to start with," Cordero Smith said, describing the district’s participation in a statewide attendance challenge and the committee’s reliance on OSPI best practices.
Staff described several policy and practice changes under consideration: warm, welcoming communications to families, attention to the "first faces" who greet students each morning, improved rostering to identify chronic absenteeism and stronger use of ParentSquare to reach families. Staff said an updated attendance policy will be drafted and brought forward for a study session and then a first reading in May; the Strategic Planning Committee will meet again on June 11 to continue the work.
Board members asked about the financial implications of poor attendance. Staff noted enrollment affects funding (especially early count days) and that the larger cost is academic and remediation resources needed when students miss school. The district said individual buildings will continue to use incentives and communications to boost attendance and that partners — including Thurston County juvenile court resources — will be engaged where appropriate.
The committee framed attendance measures as foundational to other instructional goals: getting students to school consistently improves the district’s ability to deliver targeted interventions and raise on‑track and graduation outcomes.
The board will receive the updated attendance policy as part of the strategic-plan process in the coming months.
