District works to improve attendance

The Creston Community School District is continuing its goal to improve attendance, both in students and staff.

This school year has seen a few changes to the absence policy, due to new legislation passed July 1. With the new policy, 8.5 unexcused absences per semester will cause a letter to be mailed home. Twelve unexcused absences per semester will cause a truancy meeting and an attendance contract. Eighteen unexcused absences per semester will cause a referral to the county attorney.

Some, but not all, unexcused absences include planned vacations or trips, illnesses without a doctor’s note, car trouble or accidents, work (even in a family business) and non-school supervised college visits.

During September’s school board meeting earlier this month, CCSD Superintendent Deron Stender said the school’s previous policy was stricter than the new required numbers from the state. However, the school has put in more systems to keep students on track.

“The new legislation actually is softer than the previous policy,” Stender said. “It allows more absences, but what it does, there’s more accountability on the side of the parents, there’s more accountability for the county attorney and puts more accountability on the school district as well to make sure we communicate, when we communicate and what those expectations are.”

Stender explained the district tried to start communication early, with letters being sent before school started explaining the new system.

School board members acknowledged the financial hinderance some families may find in getting a doctor’s note to avoid an unexcused absence when their child is sick.

“The unintended consequences, let’s say I have a parent reach out and say, ‘Hey, my kid was sick for two days. Stomach flu, called the doctor, they didn’t have them come in, said stay home, it’s going to work itself out,’” Stender said. “Well, how do you get the doctor’s note? If you didn’t go see a doctor, because I’m not going to go take my kid to the emergency room so I can save money.”

Creston Middle School Principal Lesa Downing said her facility already has a plan for these instances, utilizing the elementary/middle school nurse, Robin Sevier.

“If the parents don’t want to take them to the urgent care doctor, that they can bring them in and Robin will see them. We just try to encourage them to wear a mask,” Downing said. “If Robin takes their temperature and knows they’re sick, she’s a medical personal, because it does say on the state that our nurse is the one that can check the medical reason why they’re gone. We do offer that, because we know not everyone can afford that.”

Stender explained the district is using the same guidelines for teachers and staff to slow down truancy issues.

“When our staff is gone, that’s going to impact somebody else,” Stender said.

While exact numbers were not given, Stender said the district has seen an improvement already in keeping staff and students in the schools.

In other school board news…

Creston is continuing its Pathway to Being a Panther Program this school year, where student teachers are brought to the district with the promise of paying up to $10,000 for student teaching credits and a $700 per month living stipend. Last year, three student teachers participated in the program, with two going on to join the staff full time. This year, the program has five student teachers participating.

For the second year in a row, CCSD staff will have the chance to make some extra money with the Supervising Teacher Agreement and the Early Notice Incentive. A $500 stipend per semester will be provided to teachers supervising student teachers. For those retiring or resigning, a stipend will be given for providing early notice. Notification by November will result in $500, December $400 and January $300.

The following resignations, contracts and voluntary transfers were approved for September 2024.

Resignations: Ashley McGinnis, para; Diana Millslagle, cook; Nellie Beaman, cook; Chelsea Sorensen, custodian.

Contracts: Brittony Miller, para; Preston Fleharty, para; Brylea Woollums, para; Jordan Jones, para; Michael Lochmoeller, para; Alexis Ward, para; Sadie Heyveld, para; Corina Buchanan, para; Shawn Stephens, cook; Flor Aguirre, cook; Cori Wells, cook; Christina Borgia, crossing guard; Karly Calvin, assistant MS volleyball coach; Brielle Baker, assistant MS volleyball coach.

Voluntary transfers: Eric Shimer, custodian.