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Board hears attendance and discipline report; school-based clinic and Unified Sports highlighted
Summary
Board members heard that district regular attendance stands at 63% (up 2 points), discipline is trending below historical highs but has a small recent uptick tied partly to replica weapons, and the Central Health and Wellness Center described roughly 400 walk-ins and multiple clinical partners; students from Unified Sports were recognized.
Central School District 13J trustees spent part of their May 4 meeting reviewing April attendance and discipline data and receiving a presentation from the Central Health and Wellness Center.
Superintendent Kavista reported district regular attendance at 63 percent for September–April, a two-percentage-point increase from the previous year, and highlighted Monmouth Elementary (70% in April, up 6 points) and Central High School (66% in April, up 6 points). The superintendent explained the district tracks "regular attendance" as students present at least 90% of the school day and said many students who attend daily nevertheless fall short of the 90% threshold because of early checkouts or partial-day absences.
On discipline, the superintendent said the district remains below a historical reference point of 620 suspensions but noted April showed seven more suspensions than the prior year. He and board members identified a small uptick in incidents involving replica weapons and greater student aggressiveness as contributors; the district said it will reissue guidance to families and continue teaching and reteaching behavior expectations and reviewing its K–12 code of conduct.
Representatives from the Central Health and Wellness Center described on-site services that include medical care (provided through Salem Health), behavioral health (through Polk County Behavioral Health) and dental services (Smile Keepers). Tatiana Harden, a provider at the school-based center, said the clinic handles walk-in visits across ages (including daycare through high school), offers bilingual services, coordinates behavioral-health referrals and works with a youth advisory group; she estimated roughly 400 walk-ins during the fiscal year-to-date and highlighted upcoming community events (a May 15 blood drive and a Color Run).
The board also recognized Unified Sports student participants; student speakers described how unified programming increased inclusion and engagement. The superintendent invited attendees to a group photo celebrating the program.
Quote: "Having the school-based health center has really made it accessible for students at all times," Tatiana Harden said, describing walk-in services and coordination with medical and behavioral partners.
Ending: The board followed with further discussion of attendance- and discipline-related strategies and will bring additional data to a June workshop; no executive session was held.
