A primary focus of the meeting was the examination of student attendance data, which highlighted both district-wide trends and specific school challenges. The district reported a consistent attendance rate of 88.13% for the current school year, a figure closely aligned with state averages. However, certain anomalies, particularly during the 2022-23 school year, prompted inquiries into underlying causes. Discussion revealed a systematic approach to attendance improvement, emphasizing the importance of strategic conversations and the mobilization of resources to address attendance challenges. This approach prioritizes positive caregiver engagement and includes proactive measures such as making phone calls to families to celebrate good attendance or address barriers to school attendance.

Elementary schools reported attendance rates ranging from 91% to 96%, with a collective effort to standardize attendance strategies across all buildings. The focus on engaging caregivers has resulted in a relatively low number of unexcused absences throughout the district. Notably, the introduction of a “2×10” strategy, where staff spend two minutes daily for ten days connecting with students, aims to enhance students’ sense of belonging and security within their school environment.

Attention was also given to the Area Learning Center (ALC), which faces significant attendance challenges. With only 21% of students passing their graduation year, the ALC is developing a success mentor program to assign students to specific teachers, creating a supportive cohort system. This program seeks to utilize the strong rapport between ALC staff and students to encourage attendance and provide necessary resources. The ALC’s unique learning environment, which prioritizes individualized pacing, was discussed, with plans for small group engagement being considered to foster collaborative learning.

The implications of attendance on funding and legal issues surrounding compulsory education were addressed, highlighting proactive outreach efforts to remove attendance barriers. The district’s collaboration with Freeborn County probation and truancy officers was underscored as a vital support structure for older students, integrating these officers into schools to build relationships and promote positive attendance.

In addition to addressing attendance issues, the meeting considered the broader context of student engagement. The importance of adult-student connections was emphasized, particularly through the advisory program, which aims to establish consistent relationships between students and adults over their time in the school. The Flex program, now in its third year, supports these connections, while the Reach program, introduced as an elective, has positively impacted attendance and grades by fostering relationship-building.