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Public commenter urges focus on absenteeism and bullying; administrators highlight attendance data and supports
Summary
Public commenter Linda Dean told the RSU 73 board that absenteeism and bullying threaten student wellbeing and urged decisions grounded in students' needs. District administrators reviewed attendance and discipline data and described efforts to support students.
During the public comment period Linda Dean, a Livermore resident, urged the board to prioritize students and address absenteeism and bullying. "The work of this board should be guided by the needs of our students, not by outside agendas," Dean said, and called for policies that protect students and reduce barriers to attendance.
District administrators followed with reports on enrollment and attendance trends. T.J. Thorne reported district enrollment at 408 and noted a slight decline in attendance (about 0.4 percentage points) and recent disciplinary figures, including phone‑related detentions and suspensions. A primary school leader clarified the intent of a recent article about attendance, saying the purpose was to highlight staff work and supports and not to blame families.
Sherry Parker provided special education counts and explained that RSU 73 will assume responsibility for special education services for four‑year‑olds in the towns beginning Aug. 27, 2026, including the need to deliver services identified in IEPs and coordinate with existing Head Start programs when appropriate.
Why it matters: Attendance and bullying affect learning and resource allocation; the board heard both community concerns and administrative data that will inform future planning and interventions.
Board members thanked administrators for the information and signaled willingness to collaborate on attendance supports and interventions.
