[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6279907,"mediaKeyId","2618073-772a6b5a28ea02a76efbcd094bedf295","parentId",2618073,"title","Truancy policy advanced to first read; committee emphasizes early intervention and community referrals","audioSeconds",243,"startMs",5295000,"endMs",5538000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2618073-772a6b5a28ea02a76efbcd094bedf295&start=5295&end=5538","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2618073-772a6b5a28ea02a76efbcd094bedf295/thumbnail_5295000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6279907/Connecticut/Truancy-policy-advanced-to-first-read-committee-emphasizes-early-intervention-and-community-referrals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279907-ee8bd30759b6375c4ff57661c882a67b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137844&Signature=MW2rgoh3~toOR8dK9BIGh9GKunvu5Anh1iMEYGqjB9vuTcMzsgxy06XJanVgVdjzKn1AzK67Vj2PxOiLOjksGPvMISzS2iJNQXFOE~mm3j7ab6APqotoXEcd~EJzQBa5b~vJjzDbcsNcA10qulfv1L7WHTVqoKL53YB80KENP51s5bVpCJxMOBOYhK0zse4BYMoXjpiHTRw9gO33zgEjJnPHVY70qGEcwpW3dK9nbY3dtB-jsv~u3Q1mjXvt8DEUV4KStA9x2m5ntQbgkkve~xtThR88oLQeVyC1PQYfzkL1z7UbzGIRsg-wTv5mwih~uT4GPa56zFcoKJyxw0YlcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Danbury School District","date","2025-02-05T00:00:00Z","article","The policy committee voted to send Policy 5113.2 (truancy) to the full board for a first reading, emphasizing earlier triggers for intervention and the district’s role in coordinating community services.

Kelly (staff member) summarized the draft: chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10 percent or more of school days and truancy flags may be raised after a student is absent four or more days in a month. The policy calls for district and school attendance teams to monitor student-level data and to make referrals, with family consent, to community partners (staff referenced Danbury Youth Services) for engagement and support.

Committee members asked who monitors the numbers and what teams perform interventions. Kelly said the district and school teams both track attendance; Kara Wanzer and her data team pull monthly reports and school-based attendance committees meet regularly to review flagged students and deploy interventions. The committee discussed referral resources and noted reduced family-liaison staffing because of lower grant funding; the superintendent has proposed restoring liaison positions in the upcoming budget.

Al moved and (Juanita) seconded a motion to recommend the truancy policy for first read; the motion carried by voice vote. The committee asked staff to continue collaboration with Danbury Youth Services and other agencies when referrals are appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Danbury School District 2/5/25 Policy Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The committee recommended first read of Policy 5113.2 (truancy), underscoring monitoring triggers (four absences in a month, chronic 10% threshold), school-based attendance teams and referrals to community partners such as Danbury Youth Services for re-engagement.","taxTitle","Danbury School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",13000,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6279913,"Policy committee advances attendance/excuses policy; mental-health days, McKinney-Vento supports discussed",231,4535000,4766000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2618073-772a6b5a28ea02a76efbcd094bedf295&start=4535&end=4766","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2618073-772a6b5a28ea02a76efbcd094bedf295/thumbnail_4535000.jpg","/articles/6279913/Connecticut/Policy-committee-advances-attendanceexcuses-policy-mental-health-days-McKinney-Vento-supports-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279913-e03d421252b3a3da60c537490477ae4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137844&Signature=gejTnDBD2iS7J6mJ4D3rEWNKJgOG6kyFPLkiiMLAlm2u~OBwhH5LKim9EPmvk-qSRUi08mUWRH8njrX3XVNz~VKV11tmCDBYSXOBvnOZaLqMPxmhydFhgetkgAvFLgmQKVjpDwQlOAPRw6cz7NwPcnIWZGkuQogHwI6qdqRGUnVjxmidlnxjC~gCSzdBkT3XgXixwY88GyFGtzkfknMDLldG0QXTII4hnX5~wfc6eQqm5eiG6okopf49OeuLnPFI-z6J76eod-y84FBt3xm1NW~3q-Yl-UUldQJubg7uADAfIRhJrbO3jVT0injIZu~kG6WmT91njNS0J6Q0sjXSMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The policy committee voted to recommend a first read of Policy 5113 (attendance and excuses), a document that defines acceptable excuses, chronic absenteeism thresholds and school/district monitoring procedures.

Kelly (staff member) told the committee the first 10 absences are treated as parent-notified absences; on day 11 and beyond the district asks for additional documentation for the absence to be excused. The draft policy lists acceptable reasons such as illness, religious observance, mandated court appearance, lack of district transportation and extraordinary educational opportunities.

Committee members asked about the district’s chronic-absence rate and supports for vulnerable students. Kelly said the district’s chronic-absence rate had fallen from the COVID-era twenties to roughly the low teens in the fall, and the district is working to get under 10 percent districtwide. She reported more than 100 identified McKinney-Vento (homeless) students and described expanded liaison work; the McKinney-Vento liaison (Lisa Basher, referenced) helps clear enrollment barriers and connect families to supports.

The committee also confirmed mental-health days are included in the policy as excused absences; staff said those days are recorded in PowerSchool, cannot be taken on consecutive days and do not require excessive documentation.

The committee approved the item for first read by voice vote; staff will continue work on communication and monitoring protocols for schools.","The committee recommended a first read of proposed Policy 5113 (attendance and excuses). Members discussed chronic absenteeism thresholds, mental-health days, McKinney-Vento procedures for homeless students, and resource needs for family liaisons.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6279917,"Committee recommends first read of consolidated ages/admissions policy; kindergarten entry, special-education exit clarified",213,3742000,3955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2618073-772a6b5a28ea02a76efbcd094bedf295&start=3742&end=3955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2618073-772a6b5a28ea02a76efbcd094bedf295/thumbnail_3742000.jpg","/articles/6279917/Connecticut/Committee-recommends-first-read-of-consolidated-agesadmissions-policy-kindergarten-entry-special-education-exit-clarified","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279917-31e1bc1d57decf8c8af16cc5b3b6f2fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137844&Signature=g1FC5XbWn-~Iunh94pMLBwFkfxderMh6bYJ8RfyllBs9g9gsF1WO3QsKnE6ztya6ILWIRikuol8b5pMCGeUhvfDnRrHg1bfqrmqdVyAct7ki-cW1K7vCZavW7-KyvHaCdtH~cifOLGMMSzsPPRZ2JNewSgJ-eIhM3X8DAYPUtfOf3m2y9CHz-30tF32zJHoTTV0AXyH8kXMR1FGL8SFASOui3O3q0Th~M1MNy2mcUiualKBy9oMLlwxrLOz00Ao2vmz9D~mIxdKOL4MrU1pQaEFu6EK3HRgpGgXOu9EICz5BFCABYua1ifKfrSFemSndxybgxvo47Yc9Vt8XGAofDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The policy committee voted to recommend a first read of a proposed consolidated policy that combines admission, attendance age, and placement language (the draft labeled students ages of attendance/admissions/placement).

Staff told the committee the revision merges three existing policies into a single document. Kelly (staff member) highlighted two substantive items: the draft adopts a kindergarten entry cutoff (language using a September 1 date) and it reflects statutory changes for special education exit age so that students with special needs may remain through the end of the school year in which they turn 22.

Committee members asked for clearer authority language about who finalizes grade placement for students arriving from other districts or language backgrounds. Juanita asked whether grade placement decisions were made by a principal or by district staff. Kelly recommended using broader language—\"principal or district administrator\"—so the policy would not limit decision-making to a single title and would allow appropriate specialists (multilingual, special education) to be involved.

The committee also discussed the waiver process for kindergarten entry for children who turn 5 between Sept. 2 and Dec. 31; staff said a written waiver request from the parent triggers a district-conducted readiness assessment. That assessment is required for the 2025–26 school year and the district is preparing stronger procedural guidance for parents on the website.

Al moved and Theresa seconded a motion to recommend the consolidated ages/admissions policy for first read; the committee approved the motion by voice vote. Staff will return with final regulatory text and parent-facing guidance on the waiver and assessment process.

Key factual points in the draft: kindergarten entry language uses a Sept. 1 cutoff; special-education exit is carried to the end of the school year in which a student turns 22; waiver requests for early kindergarten entry must be submitted in writing and may prompt readiness assessment.","The committee recommended a first read of a consolidated policy (proposed 5.112) that merges previous attendance/admissions rules, adopts a September 1 kindergarten entry cutoff in the draft, and reflects recent statutory changes extending special-education exit to the end of the school year in which students turn 22.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6279922,"Danbury committee backs first read of electronic devices policy after debate on board modeling phone use",1998,47000,2045000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2618073-772a6b5a28ea02a76efbcd094bedf295&start=47&end=2045","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2618073-772a6b5a28ea02a76efbcd094bedf295/thumbnail_47000.jpg","/articles/6279922/Connecticut/Danbury-committee-backs-first-read-of-electronic-devices-policy-after-debate-on-board-modeling-phone-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279922-515b269bd4aad51e9ad825e6cb05332e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137844&Signature=asFV0L9OvzWxbsFZjDafcakTdK24W6MLtZdM62KDuTVrOGXCj9ZLbLGNm5werVpnF2AhH3~91wniIpr8apy1s-llFTzGaUWdD3zhGEfhKNJ1zzZy651F1W0mOsioMtBA3jqJDeDhHh0qoO1kVl6nHD7yQQ31kNr~H3N3s-CRSkdP1wDKAWrH5B~zVJ1XIS-5DvXNFmJbr9NFoP6YUmJ2MXLzEZ-e-e80H9F5AWG7Gq8Srmi5n-NQOtr95NANNSJR9ACSgHQiIf6eARE6HiIufpCh8561Y89MRv-1fHMibRL8sjE645yVRc4RCDWllj2NmQb6Hhoujfmw~RSSBini-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Danbury Board of Education Policy Committee voted to recommend a first read of Policy P5131.81 on electronic devices after more than an hour of discussion about scope and who should model device use.

Committee members approved a version of the policy that applies to students at all grade levels but emphasizes more stringent rules for middle and high school settings. The committee also agreed to add a district-level statement that “every adult working with students within the Danbury School District has the responsibility to promote digital citizenship and model responsible personal use.”

Kelly (staff member) told the committee the policy \"primarily applies to our secondary age students\" and that it is intended to limit classroom distractions while allowing devices when they support instruction. The draft directs students to keep phones stored (in lockers or backpacks) during class time and leaves school administrators authority to set school-level rules such as limited access at lunch or during transitions.

Members debated whether the board itself should be named in the policy’s definition of “collective action.” Some members—citing the policy series organization and the document’s focus on students—argued board-specific conduct belongs in board bylaws rather than in a student policy. Others and staff urged retaining wording that signals the board’s role in endorsing and advancing the policy. The committee ultimately kept the spelled-out list of groups in the policy’s explanatory paragraph but agreed the board would not use this student policy to micromanage board members’ personal conduct.

Committee discussion also addressed where to place language about adults modeling behavior. Several members recommended inserting a clear sentence in the policy’s opening framing to capture the commitment across adults without reworking the policy’s legal organization. One compromise the committee accepted was moving the modeling language into the introductory section and leaving the school-level responsibility headings in place.

After revisions were proposed on screen, Al moved and Theresa seconded a motion to recommend the policy for first read with the committee’s adjustments. The motion carried by voice vote.

The committee noted that, if adopted by the full board, administrators will need to write implementing regulations spelling out enforcement steps and any school-level variations. Staff also emphasized the rules are framed to be device-agnostic so future personal technologies (smart glasses, wearables) are covered.

The committee sent Policy P5131.81 to the full Board of Education for a first reading and asked staff to prepare regulations and communications for families and staff.","The Danbury Board of Education policy committee voted to recommend a first read of Policy P5131.81 (electronic devices), adopting language that applies to K–12 with emphasis on middle and high schools and adding a district-wide statement that adults should model responsible personal device use.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Truancy policy advanced to first read; committee emphasizes early intervention and community referrals

Policy committee advances attendance/excuses policy; mental-health days, McKinney-Vento supports discussed

Committee recommends first read of consolidated ages/admissions policy; kindergarten entry, special-education exit clarified

Danbury committee backs first read of electronic devices policy after debate on board modeling phone use