Board renews attendance-notification contract with vendor after data briefing
May 10, 2026 | Simi Valley Unified, School Districts, California
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Simi Valley Unified School District Board of Education voted to renew a three‑year contract with School Innovations & Achievement (A2A) to continue the district’s automated attendance‑notification and reporting service.
Superintendent Dr. Ploplinski introduced a midyear status presentation from district staff and Cara de Blasio of SIA, who reported attendance data through Jan. 20 and recommended continuing the partnership. De Blasio said the district’s combined absence rate was about 16 percent and chronic absence about 8 percent; she also highlighted a high ‘‘save rate’’ in which students corrected attendance problems after the first notice. The vendor outlined categories used in its reports (truancy, excessive excused absences, chronic absence) and said weekly notices and data reports help schools prioritize interventions.
Trustees questioned implementation details and fiscal impacts. Trustee Blau asked whether the proposed three‑year renewal represented a price increase; SIA said the renewal locks in a 5 percent increase that applied to renewing contracts and covers higher service costs and enhanced reporting.
After discussion, Trustee Blau moved to approve the renewal and Trustee Sandlin seconded. The board approved the contract on a roll‑call vote: Trustee Daniels Aye; Trustee Collins Aye; Trustee Sandlin Aye; Clerk of the Board Blau Aye; President White Aye.
The district’s administration recommended the renewal as part of layered efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism, support LCAP goals and protect average daily attendance funding. Sean Goldman and other district staff confirmed the vendor will continue to provide site‑level and district‑level reports and to work with principals and counselors on interventions.
Next steps: administration will finalize the renewal paperwork and continue end‑of‑year reporting; the vendor said it will return with end‑of‑year results to demonstrate impact. The board did not change the scope of the service at the meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Ploplinski introduced a midyear status presentation from district staff and Cara de Blasio of SIA, who reported attendance data through Jan. 20 and recommended continuing the partnership. De Blasio said the district’s combined absence rate was about 16 percent and chronic absence about 8 percent; she also highlighted a high ‘‘save rate’’ in which students corrected attendance problems after the first notice. The vendor outlined categories used in its reports (truancy, excessive excused absences, chronic absence) and said weekly notices and data reports help schools prioritize interventions.
Trustees questioned implementation details and fiscal impacts. Trustee Blau asked whether the proposed three‑year renewal represented a price increase; SIA said the renewal locks in a 5 percent increase that applied to renewing contracts and covers higher service costs and enhanced reporting.
After discussion, Trustee Blau moved to approve the renewal and Trustee Sandlin seconded. The board approved the contract on a roll‑call vote: Trustee Daniels Aye; Trustee Collins Aye; Trustee Sandlin Aye; Clerk of the Board Blau Aye; President White Aye.
The district’s administration recommended the renewal as part of layered efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism, support LCAP goals and protect average daily attendance funding. Sean Goldman and other district staff confirmed the vendor will continue to provide site‑level and district‑level reports and to work with principals and counselors on interventions.
Next steps: administration will finalize the renewal paperwork and continue end‑of‑year reporting; the vendor said it will return with end‑of‑year results to demonstrate impact. The board did not change the scope of the service at the meeting.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
