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Presentation: District reports nearly nine percentage‑point drop in chronic absenteeism after targeted outreach
Summary
A board presentation showed McDowell County Schools’ chronic absenteeism fell from nearly 40% to about 31% year‑over‑year after a combined strategy of support and accountability, including more than 800 family letters and 18 truancy filings; the board discussed sustaining gains.
Erin Lester, identified on the agenda as Director of Child Nutrition and Student Services, told the board the district compared the same Sept.–Jan. window year‑over‑year and found a countywide chronic absenteeism rate fall from about 39.98% to roughly 31%.
Lester credited a coordinated plan of “support and accountability,” saying staff sent “over 800 letters to families the moment a student hit five unexcused absences” and that the district filed 18 truancy cases when outreach did not work. A prerecorded presentation cited school‑level spikes — including a Riverview High ninth‑grade rate above 54% — and showed multiple schools with double‑digit percentage‑point improvements.
Lester told the board that some improvements were especially large at the secondary level and noted specific school gains: Sandy River Middle dropped from more than 44% to just over 30% (about a 14‑point improvement), and Mount View cut its rate from over 42% to under 29%. She said the district will continue monthly data reviews, principal meetings, and recognition programs to sustain momentum.
Board members asked for additional grade‑level breakdowns; Lester said she could provide the per‑grade tables presented to principals. She emphasized that while the countywide improvement is significant, “31% or 30% is not where we want to be,” and recommended ongoing measurement and coordinated school‑level strategies.
