Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Attendance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District reports improved attendance, 61% "save-rate" in 2024–25 Attention2Attendance review
Summary
Sulphur Springs Union School District reported year-over-year improvements in attendance and instructional time for 2024–25, a decline in chronic absenteeism and a 61% "save-rate" for students issued initial truancy or excused letters.
Sulphur Springs Union School District officials presented the 2024–25 Attention2Attendance results to the Board on Sept. 10, reporting increased overall attendance and instructional learning time and a decline in chronic absenteeism.
Dr. Chuck Pirtle, director of Personnel/Pupil Services, and Brenda Tapp, Senior Customer Success Manager at Attention2Attendance (A2A), told trustees the district achieved a 61% "save-rate," meaning 61% of students who received an initial truancy or excused letter did not progress to a second letter during the school year. The presentation highlighted differences between SchoolStatus reporting and the California Dashboard, equity views by student group, and external challenges including illness, weather and air-quality events.
Board members and Superintendent Dr. Catherine Kawaguchi thanked principals, office staff, teachers and social workers for the improvement. Dr. Pirtle emphasized efforts to encourage consistent attendance and student engagement, saying staff focused on teaching students to "show up" and remain engaged through life-skills lessons, assemblies and classroom leadership opportunities.
Trustees heard that every school site showed growth in attendance metrics. The district noted social workers' roles at School Attendance Review Board (SARB) meetings as a key factor in the progress; Dr. Ashley Swanson, Lead Social Worker, received special recognition during the meeting. No formal action was required; the presentation served as an informational update to the Board.
