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Board debates fairness of chronic absenteeism metric amid rural travel burdens
Summary
Board members and staff described how long trips for specialist medical care and limited local services can push students into chronic absenteeism, and said the district remains on 'watch' but below the state threshold requiring an action plan.
Board members and staff spent substantial time discussing chronic absenteeism and whether the state's metric fairly accounts for rural service limitations.
A staff member described a personal example: parents driving five hours roundtrip to Morgantown for orthodontist appointments can result in a full-day absence that counts toward chronic absenteeism. "My own personal kid is going through this now ... she's still going to be chronically absent," the staff member said, illustrating how travel for specialist care can penalize rural families.
Staff reported the district had improved attendance enough to remain below the state's trigger for an action plan, staying in a "watch" status rather than entering the state's needs-assessment process. Board members raised concerns about whether doctor notes and parental work constraints should be treated differently under the metric.
No policy change was adopted at the meeting; staff said principals will continue to set goals and the district will monitor attendance trends and supports.
