Board briefed on chronic absenteeism and QUEST referrals as district tightens monitoring

Presenters told the board the district has reduced chronic absenteeism after stronger tracking and outreach, but staff cautioned final counts depend on state reporting rules and transient enrollments.

"The state now says chronic absentee is 18 days," Staff member (S2) said, explaining that the state metric counts excused and unexcused absences alike and that the district must document reasons or move through required notification steps. Staff described continued home visits, QUEST referrals and partnerships with probation and child-protective services when absences exceed thresholds.

Presenters highlighted a cohort of students with 60-plus absences this year and said referrals and interventions will continue; they offered more detailed attendance rosters to board members on request.