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Suffield reports improved chronic absenteeism districtwide but higher disciplinary incidents at some schools
Summary
Assistant Superintendent Laura Norbut told the board chronic absenteeism fell across schools in 2025–26 while disciplinary incident counts rose notably at A. Ward Spaulding School and McAlister Intermediate School; the district plans to expand behavioral supports and asked for clarity on tier definitions.
Assistant Superintendent Laura Norbut presented attendance and discipline data to the board on July 13. Attendance data showed improvements across the district in 2025–26, with chronic absenteeism decreasing and the most significant gains at Suffield High School. The district continues to use a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), a Family Liaison, and positive incentives to promote consistent attendance.
Norbut also reported a concerning increase in disciplinary incidents at A. Ward Spaulding School and McAlister Intermediate School, while middle and high school rates were relatively stable. Reported rates ranged from 7.7% of the SHS population to 11.9% at McAlister. Fewer than 1% of the student population accounted for 49 incidents, and 20% of incidents involved students who enrolled after March 2025. Most incidents occurred in unstructured settings such as hallways, playgrounds, cafeterias, and on buses rather than during classroom instruction.
The board discussed how long SEL programs have been in place and asked for tiered disciplinary data. Norbut described several initiatives intended to strengthen behavioral supports: the Fly Five program at elementary schools, expansion of the RULER social-emotional learning framework to secondary levels, continued implementation of the Effective School Solutions (ESS) program to increase in-district mental health supports, and collaboration with the Connect IV behavioral health initiative.
Next steps: board members requested additional breakdowns by tier and time series for SEL program implementation; administration will provide further detail at a future meeting.
