Distress commission wants explanation from Youngstown schools truant officer
YOUNGSTOWN
With student attendance still missing the mark at most Youngstown City Schools, the commission appointed to guide the district out of academic difficulty wants more information about how truancy is addressed.
At a meeting today, members of the Youngstown City School District Academic Distress Commission said they want to hear from the district’s truant officer. It was the first with new appointees, the Rev. Kenneth Simon of New Bethel Baptist Church and Atty. Ronald Miller.
A chart presented by Douglas Hiscox, deputy superintendent for academic affairs, shows that only Discovery at Kirkmere, Rayen Early College Middle School, Chaney, Youngstown Early College and Programs of Promise at Wilson met the attendance goal for their respective school in January and February. Those goals are 95 percent for elementary schools, 94 percent for middle schools, 92 percent for high schools and 85 percent for alternative schools.
Hiscox said district personnel make phone calls daily to parents of absent students. Only one person, however, makes home visits.
Learn more about how absences are handled in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.