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Bridge to Success reports $2.25M invested in Boost community schools; board asks for student-tracking data
Summary
Bridge to Success staff told the board the Boost initiative has invested about $2.25 million since July 2023 across five community schools, reporting improved attendance and reduced chronic absenteeism; commissioners asked for data to track whether gains carry into middle and high schools.
Bridge to Success (BTS) delivered an update on the district's Boost community schools model, reporting expenditures, program participation and preliminary attendance impacts.
Althea Brooks (S18) said the district and partners have invested approximately $2,250,000 in Boost community schools since July 2023, funded through a mix of federal, philanthropic and district resources. That funding supports site coordinators, attendance outreach, family engagement events and program evaluation.
Brooks said Boost currently places site coordinators at five schools (Reed, Duggan, Gilmartin, Wendell Cross and Roberto Clemente) and has seen a 3-point increase in community school attendance rates since 2023 and a reported 14% decrease in chronic absenteeism across Boost sites. She also cited more than 1,600 attendance letters sent since September and 41 food giveaways impacting over 1,600 families in the past year.
Commissioners sought evidence the benefits persist as students age out of Boost schools. Commissioner Van Stone asked for longitudinal data to show whether improved attendance and school culture carry into middle and high school; Brooks said BTS is seeking a board-approved data-sharing agreement to follow cohorts over time and will provide the board with requested breakout data by year and site.
Brooks also described partnerships and programming — 38 programs delivered across sites and 27 partner organizations — and announced the district and BTS were invited to a New England community schools consortium for multi-year coaching and funding support.
The board did not take a vote on new funding; members asked for a year-by-year data split and further evidence to support continued or expanded investment as the budget process proceeds.
