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District outlines McKinney‑Vento responsibilities and strategies as chronic‑absentee rates fall slightly
Summary
Courtney Jones briefed the board on McKinney‑Vento protections, identification and partner supports, local counts of eligible students (111 as of Nov. 22), and chronic‑absenteeism strategies; board members pressed on the 10‑day policy and retention discretion.
Courtney Jones presented an overview of the McKinney‑Vento Act and the district's approach to identifying and supporting students experiencing housing instability. Jones said McKinney‑Vento guarantees educational stability and protections for students lacking a fixed, regular, adequate nighttime residence, and highlighted identification and access to educational services as the district's top responsibilities.
Jones explained that identification often results from shared‑housing, motel stays, camper living, or displacement from storms; the district uses enrollment surveys, staff training and collaboration with partners such as the Clover Area Assistance Center and district transportation to meet McKinney‑Vento obligations. Jones described Mayday project supports (gift cards, eyeglasses, field trips) and said a grant that supported services ended Sept. 30; the district will pursue future grant cycles (HCY grant) to continue supports.
On counts and trends, Jones reported earlier local tallies (46 elementary, 36 high‑school, 8 OMS, 18 CMS) and said that as of Nov. 22 district staff recorded 111 McKinney‑Vento‑eligible students, including 20 unaccompanied students at Clover High School. Jones also cited county civil‑court data showing 581 eviction filings in October, and framed housing instability as a driver of attendance issues. On chronic absenteeism, Jones reiterated the operational definition used in district practice: a student is chronically absent once they miss 10 or more days (about 10% of the school year) and that truancy denotes full‑day unexcused absences. Board members asked whether the 10‑day rule and promotion decisions allow adequate discretion; Jones and other administrators said retention and extenuating circumstances are decided case‑by‑case and led by building administrators with oversight from central office when needed.
The superintendent and board asked Jones to provide midyear chronic‑absentee reports; Jones also said the district will apply for new grant funding and continue community collaborations to support students.
