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Attendance drop worries Ocean View leaders as board approves first interim budget with positive certification
Summary
CBO Keith Pharoh told trustees that district attendance has dropped to about 94% (down from 96–97% historically), noting each 1% increase in attendance equates to roughly $800,000; the board approved the 2024–25 first interim budget with a positive certification and staff outlined attendance outreach and independent‑study measures.
The Ocean View School District Board on Dec. 17 approved the 2024–25 first interim budget with a positive certification after a presentation from Assistant Superintendent and Chief Business Official Keith Pharoh that flagged a steady decline in student attendance and its budgetary consequences.
Pharoh told trustees the district’s average daily attendance is approximately 94 percent, down from historical averages of roughly 96–97 percent. "A 1 percent change is equal to an $800,000 shift," he said, and staff projected that improving attendance could substantially reduce a projected multi‑year deficit (described in discussion as on the order of $5 million in out years). The interim report also notes a low state cost‑of‑living adjustment (1.07 percent) and an average enrollment decline of about 200 students as primary drivers of future deficit spending. The report nevertheless provided a positive certification for the current two fiscal years, giving the district time to adjust assumptions and present a second interim in March.
Superintendent Dr. Julian Hofer and staff outlined steps to address chronic and emerging absenteeism: targeted communications to families, school‑level incentives in partnership with PTAs, and tiered interventions by Student Services (Director Tim Beand). Dr. Hofer reported that about 1,200 students have missed 5–10 percent of the school year, and another ~1,500 have missed 10–15 percent; staff noted a subset of students are chronically absent (10 percent or more) and receive intensive Tier‑3 interventions from social workers.
Trustees discussed enforcement and outreach options. One trustee urged considering stronger measures to ensure student attendance, including home visits and, if necessary, legal remedies; district leaders said the immediate emphasis will be on outreach, improving school climate, and making independent study options better known. The board and staff described independent study packets as a funding‑recoup mechanism but warned they do not replace classroom instruction; staff noted legislation allows retroactive independent study agreements for absences up to 14–15 days in a school year.
After discussion the board approved the interim budget by motion; the district will return with updated assumptions in January and a second interim presentation in March.
