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Superintendent: 500 of roughly 2,000 students are chronically absent; board weighs responses
Summary
Romulus superintendent told the board that about 25% of students (roughly 500 of 2,000) missed 18 or more days this year, prompting discussion about retention, teacher attendance-taking and supports for families. Board members discussed barriers such as poverty and transient enrollment.
Dr. Benjamin Edmonson told the Romulus Community Schools Board on May 11 that attendance data show roughly 500 of about 2,000 students — about 25% — are chronically absent, defined in the district analysis as missing 18 days or more.
"Across the country, across the state ... 25% of your kids are missing," Dr. Edmonson said, stressing the scale and asking the board whether the district should propose policy changes or other interventions. He said the district would provide the board the underlying data for further review.
Board members and administrators raised several causes and practical limits to district action: poverty and housing instability, family work schedules, and students being retained or withdrawn by families before attendance records are formally updated. Trustees noted that kindergarten is not mandated under state law and that school enrollment patterns and nearby charter and school-choice options have changed student counts over time.
Administrators described current practice: teachers are the first touch point and must take attendance; attendance liaisons follow up when students are out multiple days. Dr. Edmonson and staff said the district is reviewing whether attendance-taking and liaison processes are being implemented consistently and whether additional programs or funding could support outreach to families.
The board discussed retention as a tool of last resort and the practical consequences of withholding promotion for students with extreme absences. Trustees said retention can prompt families to withdraw students to avoid a retention record, shifting the problem to neighboring districts.
The discussion closed with several trustees urging an aggressive, collaborative approach: improve teacher follow-up, audit liaison procedures, and explore programs or funding that directly address barriers to daily attendance. No new policy was adopted at the meeting; Dr. Edmonson asked for direction on next steps and said administration would return with proposals.
Ending: The board asked staff to review attendance practices and to recommend actionable options at a future meeting, including how to measure teacher and liaison accountability for attendance processes.
