Tri City United reports attendance dip as some families opt for online programs

A principal told the Tri City United School District board on Jan. 26 that student attendance has slipped after a strong start to the year and that a small number of families are choosing online alternatives.

The principal said the district’s early work to improve attendance stalled “first by a little bit of illness” and then by families making enrollment choices. “We know we have families that are staying home out of fear,” the principal said, adding that roughly 10 students had indicated they would not return and were seeking online education through the Elevate program.

Why it matters: Loss of enrolled students shifts funding and staffing calculations and can increase workload for staff working to re‑engage families. The principal said district staff are trying to limit both educational and social impacts for affected students and families.

District response and supports: The principal described regular outreach by district staff, including Mary Velasquez, the district outreach worker who provides translated communications and supports to Hispanic families. Officials said families who move to Elevate remain technically enrolled in the district for billing and service purposes: “They retain our devices, they retain our counseling supports and services,” the principal said.

Steps ahead: Administrators said they are working to reassure families and help students return if possible, with hopes some will rejoin in-person instruction by the end of the third quarter. The board heard no formal motion related to enrollment at the meeting but received the update as part of the administrative reports.

Context: Speakers emphasized that the district does not inquire into families’ legal status and treats all students as members of the community. Officials framed the issue as a combination of temporary illness-related absences and longer-term choices by families weighing safety and educational options.