County office reports LCAP midyear update; presenters flag rising chronic absenteeism and expanded mental-health supports

Staff from the Marin County Office of Education presented the midyear Local Control and Accountability Plan update and a budget overview for parents, highlighting program-level outcomes, supports and challenges.

Katie Foster and Laura Trahan described progress at county-run programs: graduation counts rose (presenters cited 26 graduates last year versus single digits in early years), expanded college and career readiness programming, and increased mental‑health staffing including bilingual, bicultural providers. The presenters said new interventions and diagnostic assessments are being piloted to boost credit accumulation for disengaged students.

At the same time, presenters flagged persistent and rising chronic absenteeism: for a program that historically had about 40% chronic absenteeism, a recent period showed approximately 62% of students meeting the >20% absence definition. "That's our big push this year because if we can get those kids, we feel like we can get anybody," a presenter said. Board members asked whether the rise is tied to post-pandemic patterns, decriminalization of truancy, and competing family and economic pressures; presenters cited multiple drivers and noted ongoing analysis.

Bree Brown, assistant superintendent of business services, explained that the midyear budget update shows actuals through December 31 and that some line items may appear underspent because planned activities occur later in the fiscal year. The board did not take action on the LCAP update at this meeting; staff said a fuller report will be included in the June packet.