In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the significant decline in Average Daily Attendance (ADA) across multiple campuses, with only three out of the district's schools meeting state-mandated attendance goals. The state guidelines recommend that elementary schools maintain attendance rates of 96-97%, yet some schools reported figures as low as 92%. This drop in attendance has raised concerns about student engagement and the effectiveness of current strategies to improve attendance.

Dr. Hudson highlighted the ongoing monitoring of attendance on a week-to-week basis, noting fluctuations in enrollment and the impact of out-of-school suspensions. Despite these efforts, questions were raised about the lack of concrete actions being taken at the campus level to address the issue. Suggestions included implementing friendly competitions among grades to incentivize attendance, such as ice cream parties for classes with the highest attendance rates.

In response, officials confirmed that various initiatives, including celebrations and competitions, are already being conducted at schools. These efforts are part of a broader strategy that incorporates Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to encourage student attendance. However, the meeting underscored the challenge of motivating students who are not attending school, particularly in light of increased truancy rates post-COVID, which have surged from the low twenties to significantly higher numbers.

As the district continues to grapple with these attendance challenges, officials are committed to exploring new strategies and reinforcing existing programs to ensure that more students return to the classroom.