Dubuque district reports lower absenteeism and higher graduation rates in strategic‑plan update

The Dubuque Community School District presented the latest progress on its five‑year strategic plan at a May 18 board meeting, reporting steady gains in attendance and graduation while outlining next steps on preschool options, facilities and staff retention.

Superintendent Hawkins opened the session by explaining the district provides three progress reports each year on priority initiatives tied to 2029 goals. He said the updates show which initiatives are “operational, on track, started, on hold or complete,” and staff reviewed specific measures of success used to track district progress.

District presenters told the board chronic absenteeism has fallen markedly since 2021–22, from 33.4% to about 19.41% this school year, and that final year‑end data will be presented at the June meeting. The district also reported academic‑growth snapshots from its universal screener (i‑Ready): some grade‑level measures rose (notably third‑grade reading), others stayed flat or slipped slightly, and the district reiterated a multiyear goal of steady percentage gains toward 2029 targets. Four‑year graduation increased from 81.9% for the class of 2023 to 86.6% for the class of 2025; five‑year graduation also rose modestly.

Staff described several priority initiatives intended to sustain those gains. Priority 1 work includes a current review of preschool offerings: staff are studying whether to expand to a full‑day preschool model or add transitional kindergarten (TK), and emphasized the district will use community input and an external task force before any change. District administrators noted the statewide voluntary preschool program currently funds 2½ hours per day for four‑year‑old preschool, and that full‑day options may require fees or wraparound care models used by neighboring districts.

Priority 2 updates focused on instructional supports and educator collaboration. Middle and high schools use i‑Ready three times a year, MTSS/RTI systems and an RTI Scheduler to target support time; presenters cited examples of reduced failure rates and improved subgroup outcomes tied to those systems.

Priority 4 work on facility planning and the middle‑school efficiency review continues, with internal and external task teams assessing enrollment, finance and program tradeoffs. The district said focus groups and additional task‑force meetings are planned through the summer to broaden community input before recommendations come back to the board.

Under Priority 5, staff noted a paraprofessional mentoring pilot set to launch this fall in three schools to improve onboarding and retention, plus continued outreach to third‑year teachers about career pathways and professional development.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the personnel report; authorized a $1,584,000 agreement with Envision Architecture LLC for Roosevelt Middle School additions and renovation; and set a public hearing for a flexibility‑account transfer request for Monday, June 8, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at 2300 Chaney Road. All motions carried by voice vote.

What’s next: staff will present final year‑end metrics at the board’s June meeting and return recommendations after further task‑force and community engagement on preschool options and facility plans.