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District reports drop in chronic absenteeism and recognizes student, staff achievements
Summary
Administrators reported chronic absenteeism fell from 28% in FY23 to 16.3% in FY26 and recognized academic, arts and extracurricular winners; the board thanked donors and staff for support during Staff Appreciation Week.
At the May 11 meeting administrators reported progress on student attendance and highlighted awards and recognitions across schools.
Assistant Principal Ida Gorman presented a document showing chronic absenteeism declined from 28% in fiscal year 2023 to 16.3% in fiscal year 2026, with a 3.6 percentage point decrease from the prior school year to this year. Superintendent Brian Rentsch and principals highlighted student achievements: Claymont Middle and High Schools earned Purple Star recognition (credited to staff including Matt Shuman and Andrew Zimmerman), several students placed in the county math tournament, Claymont had national-place winners in Math180 and Read180 programs, and the HS/MS bands and art educators received recognition.
During the commendations and administrative remarks the board and community donors were thanked for scholarship disbursements totaling $229,611 handed out at the annual banquet. Staff Appreciation Week recognitions and donated meals from local businesses were acknowledged by the CEA president present at the meeting.
The minutes record the attendance and recognitions; administrators signaled continuing efforts to reduce absenteeism and support student achievement but did not present additional program funding or specific next-step metrics at the meeting.
