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District seeks parent advocates as chronic absenteeism remains elevated
Summary
The district reported a chronic absenteeism rate around 33–35% and described school‑level attendance interventions, banners, text messaging campaigns and plans to recruit parent attendance advocates to help reduce absences.
Attendance Coordinator Tia Johnson told the board that as of the February count date the district‑wide chronic absenteeism rate was approximately 33% and that illness and spring seasonal trends had pushed the March data to about 35%. "Our main goal is to reduce chronic absenteeism by 5% this academic year," Johnson said, noting national trends that show spring absence increases.
Johnson described current tactics used at schools that met or exceeded the 90% daily‑attendance mark: positive attendance messaging, school banners, text messaging through ParentSquare/Powerschool (Kinvo), short "attendance lounges" where staff talk with students about barriers to attendance, and school attendance teams using three‑ and five‑day notices to families. She said some teachers and principals are piloting classroom‑level warm welcomes and incentives that have improved daily attendance at several sites.
To scale those efforts, Johnson proposed a parent‑advocate program using grant funds to recruit volunteers who can staff informational tables at sporting events and family nights, distribute attendance resources and provide basic guidance to families. Johnson said one parent advocate had already applied and would begin work after spring break.
The board and principals also discussed specific school drivers of absenteeism—long travel distances, winter illness, and local events—and asked whether waivers or enrollment‑transfer practices affect chronic‑absence calculations. Assistant Superintendent Deswood said waiver students are held to the same attendance standard but may be placed on attendance contracts and that waiver revocations are a last step following documented interventions.
Next steps: the attendance office will continue targeted school visits, post banners at schools, host a March 24 guest speaker on emotional intelligence for staff and families, expand school‑level workshops and recruit additional parent advocates to support outreach and messaging.
