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Board accepts learning‑environment report, lowers extracurricular participation benchmark to 80%
Summary
The De Forest Area School District board accepted the OE‑10 learning environment report, which showed mixed results across 18 indicators; administrators highlighted gains in attendance outreach and student survey participation, new inclusive extracurriculars, and plans to reduce the extracurricular participation benchmark from 90% to 80%.
The De Forest Area School District board approved its OE‑10 Learning Environment report after a presentation and extended discussion with district staff.
Administrators told the board the report shows 12 of 18 indicators at or above benchmark while several subgroups and two indicators remain out of compliance. Staff highlighted improved student engagement survey participation — the middle school participation rate rose markedly to roughly 95% after targeted outreach — and described new programs designed to increase student inclusion, including an Adaptive Sports League, Best Buddies and a Disabled Student Union.
Board members pressed for more detail on two not‑met indicators: measures of chronic absenteeism for specific subgroups and a disproportionality in suspension rates for students with disabilities and other groups. Administrative presenters said the district has shifted toward more structured in‑school supports and restorative alternatives, which has reduced out‑of‑school suspensions while raising in‑school interventions that include academic work and behavior instruction.
The board also discussed how extracurricular participation should be measured. Administration recommended reducing the participation benchmark from 90% to 80%, citing PBIS tiering rationale and the reality that many students participate in meaningful activities outside the district’s tracking systems (club sports, community programs, work). The board asked for clarity on tracking and funding: administrators said stipends and advisor funding generally come from the district while most activity expenses are covered through fundraising.
After discussion and requests for follow‑up data, a board motion to accept the OE‑10 report carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Members directed administration to return with more detail on the two noncompliant indicators and possible measures to better capture out‑of‑school extracurricular involvement.
