FARMINGTON — Regional School Unit 9 Superintendent Christian Elkington reported significant improvements in attendance in all schools in the district to the board of directors at their meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
All seven schools, which include Academy Hill, Cape Cod Hill, Cascade Brook, Gerald D. Cushing, Mt. Blue High School, Mt. Blue Middle School and W. G. Mallett, have seen increases in the number of days attended among their student body along with a decrease in chronic absenteeism.
The percentile increases of days attended and decreases in chronic absenteeism are as follows, in that order:
• AHS: 15% increase, 15% decrease
• CCHS: 35% increase, 60% decrease
• CBS: 20% increase, 33% decrease
• GDCS: 20% increase, 30% decrease
• MBHS: 25% increase, 33% decrease
• MBMS: 8% increase, 40% decrease
• WGMS: 27% increase, 40% decrease
The improvements follow two long-term goals that were set in October to reduce the rate of chronic absenteeism by 50% by spring 2026 and to improve the overall daily attendance for all schools in the district by 5%.
Elkington accredited a number of factors, such as staff for putting a focus on absenteeism and connecting students to help reduce too many unnecessary days away from school, as well as their campaign through their newsletters to reduce those numbers.
“We’re seeing a lot of efforts, a lot of communication, and a lot of improvement,” Elkington stated. “It is good to see that the numbers are going in that direction.”
Director Judith Kaut of New Sharon asked if teacher and staff absenteeism data was also collected, adding that those numbers could also affect student absenteeism rates. Elkington stated he would report on that data at the next board of directors meeting, adding “I think your point is well taken. If [the staff member] are there, that’s going to be a positive thing instead of a sub.”
Director Joshua Robbins of Vienna asked if CCHS was doing different from the other schools to help improve on their chronic absenteeism rate.
Elkington responded by saying they had not dug any deeper to find any factors that may correlate with the data collected. However, Elkington attributed some of the success to new staff members, such as Principal Carol Keisman, and their status as a community school.
“Some of those extra resources they have definitely are assisting,” Elkington stated, “but I will ask administration some of their thoughts on why. Every school is a little bit different.”
Kaut also added before-school care and after-school care at CCHS is a significant factor in the success of student attendance, to which Elkington agreed.
“One of the things I’ve been trying to look at is before and after school care, especially in Wilton,” Elkington stated to the board. “We’ve had a lot of students whose parents have practically begged to have their children go to another school in the district, because there is before and after school care.”
Elkington added, “I don’t think that’s going to get any better, so it’s one of the things we definitely have to look at because I’m going to have to start to say no to these [requests].”
Director Amanda Caruso of Wilton asked if there were any updates on the community school grants for other schools in the district. Elkington directed the question to director Janice David of Farmington, who was in contact with the Commissioner Pender Makin of the Maine Department of Education [MDOE].
“They’re trying to do more community schools, but the money isn’t really available at the present time,” David said.
According to Elkington, about 400 applications had been filed with only 50 getting funding.
Caruso followed up her question by asking if attendance numbers had a tendency to fluctuate throughout the school year.
“I would tell you that they do fluctuate,” Elkington said, indicating that January and February numbers tend to fluctuate due to the flu season and March is a popular month for family vacations.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
