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District reports improvement in chronic absenteeism; spring interventions and summer academies planned
Summary
District staff reported a year‑to‑date chronic absenteeism rate of about 15.15% (pre‑exclusion) with planned interventions for transitional grades and two full‑day summer learning academy sites to support below‑grade‑level students.
District staff presented a year‑to‑date chronic absenteeism report and outlined intervention plans and summer programming to support students below grade level.
Russell Lippincott (speaker 10) presented the district’s live data, saying the chronic absenteeism rate stood at approximately 15.15% (before state exclusions) and that adjustments by the state reduced a previously reported 25% figure to about 20.8% after exclusions. "For this current school year, live data, we're sitting at around 15.15%," Lippincott said, adding that transitional grades (e.g., sixth and ninth) show higher absence patterns.
The board asked how schools trigger interventions for high‑absence students, with staff describing a sequence of responses: counselor and student support staff engagement, conferences and home visits, and escalation to legal action if absences are unexcused. Lippincott described ongoing use of running lists and meetings with families and said the district will survey teachers and counselors to identify students needing transitional supports.
Superintendent Dr. Atkins also outlined summer learning academies at Princeton Primary and Bluefield Primary, provided regional transportation, near‑full‑day programming with breakfast and lunch, and expanded eligibility beyond third‑grade success plans to any below‑grade‑level student who can commit to the program. The district plans two full weeks in July (July 17 and July 24 windows) and additional programming (July 13–17) at Bluefield Intermediate for grades 3–5 as part of CSI support.
Board members commended gains in attendance data and emphasized continued focus on scheduling, counselor outreach and targeted interventions in transitional grades.
