East Ramapo School Board announces plan to deter absenteeism
A district official cited reasons students miss class could include because they're sick, have issues with getting to school or are skipping school.
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The East Ramapo School Board learned that nearly 10% of the district’s 9,000-plus students are not in school every day, that's 900 kids, and over 30% of students are chronically absent.
A graph showed that both high school's percentages are higher, in the 40's.
MORE: Watch the full meeting here.
School district officials announced their plan to turn attendance around for all ages.
A district official cited reasons students miss class could include because they're sick, have issues with getting to school or are skipping school.
Another reason mentioned by a school board member is fear of immigration enforcement or students leaving with their families to return to their home country.
Attendance issues have been a problem for some time, according to Ana Maeda, a parent, an alum and vocal advocate for public school students.
"This is not a new thing for us parents," said Maeda.
She thinks more people should be hired to handle attendance, including people who speak other languages.
She considers this issue a matter of safety and the municipalities should be concerned, too.
The district's interim superintendent, Ana Reluzco, also announced they found and had to report two issues to New York state.
One involved regents exams not being scored or reported correctly.
Second involved wrong codes being used 21 times when students left the district that ultimately inflated the graduation rate for Ramapo High School.
Interim Superintendent Reluzco stated that Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES would be investigating.
News 12 reached out to the district and state Education Department for comment and is waiting to hear back.
