Issaquah School Board hears concerns on attendance and student achievement policies

The Issaquah School District Board Meeting on April 10, 2025, highlighted pressing concerns regarding student attendance and academic excellence, as community members voiced their insights during the public comment segment.

Leah Karpenko, a math teacher at Issaquah High School, raised alarms about declining attendance rates, which have dropped significantly since the pandemic. She reported that attendance at Issaquah High School fell to 75% and 78% at Liberty High School, down from nearly 90% pre-pandemic. Karpenko emphasized the direct correlation between attendance and academic performance, noting that out of 44 students in her Algebra 1 class, 11 failed, with 10 of those students having chronic attendance issues. She urged the board to implement a stronger attendance policy, suggesting that parents should be required to excuse absences within two business days, similar to practices in neighboring districts. Additionally, she called for a reevaluation of staffing allocations to prioritize attendance support.

Other community members also shared their perspectives. Al Serpis expressed concerns about the district's approach to diversity, arguing that teacher-student connections should be based on shared experiences rather than race. He emphasized the importance of teachers who can relate to students' backgrounds, regardless of skin color.

Chinmay Nagarkar criticized the district's strategic plan for focusing too narrowly on graduation rather than fostering excellence and supporting gifted students. He questioned the lack of resources allocated to highly capable programs and urged the board to embrace a broader definition of diversity that includes varied perspectives and experiences.

The meeting also included procedural updates, such as the approval of the consent agenda and the addition of new agenda items, including a report on recent conferences attended by board members. The board's decisions and discussions reflect ongoing efforts to address community concerns and improve educational outcomes for students in the district.

As the board moves forward, the insights shared during public comment will likely inform future policies aimed at enhancing student engagement and academic success, underscoring the importance of community involvement in shaping educational priorities.