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Superintendent and committee report drop in chronic absenteeism; backpack food program seeks steady donations
Summary
Superintendent Clay Gleason and the district's dropout prevention committee reported improvements in chronic absenteeism and outlined supports for Mckinney‑Vento students; the backpack food program serves about 210 children weekly but relies on ongoing fundraising (about $1,400 per week).
The RSU 06/MSAD 06 board heard an update on student attendance and the district's backpack food program during its April 4 board meeting.
Superintendent Clay Gleason summarized district attendance data, saying districtwide chronic absenteeism has improved from 27% in 2024 and 2025 to about 20%, representing 644 students who have missed at least 10% of the school year. He also told the board the district currently identifies 31 students as Mckinney‑Vento (homeless or unaccompanied youth) and explained the district's obligation to prevent educational disruption for those students, often by arranging shared transportation or reimbursing families for mileage.
Lori, presenting the dropout prevention committee's annual update, said the committee meets several times a year and reviews truancy, alternative education and supports for English language learners. She reported 19 students currently meet the statutory criteria for truancy and outlined the committee's tiered interventions, from soft letters and phone calls to meetings and referrals to the district attorney for prolonged absences.
Lori also described the district's backpack program, noting it serves roughly 210 children a week with nonperishable weekend meals and snacks. "It costs us about $1,400 a week to run the program," she said, and explained the program's funding is largely rotational, with donations and occasional large contributions from school activity accounts. The board was told the program distributes roughly two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners per bag and that staffing and PTO Amazon wish‑list donations have helped sustain operations.
Board members asked whether the program provides summer support; Lori said the district does not run a formal summer backpack program but adds extra items during vacation weeks and coordinates with local farmers markets and community groups when possible. Administrators also said the district will post donation links and a QR code on the website and accept gifts by mail or dropoff at school offices.
The presentation concluded with a reminder that dropout prevention committee membership is governed by state statute and includes deans, a social worker, a student representative, counselors and board members, and that the committee focuses its recommendations on removing barriers to attendance and student success.
