LOWELLVILLE — Strategies for curbing chronic absenteeism in the Lowellville Local School District, which was 40.3% last year, were addressed at last week’s board of education meeting.

Superintendent Christine Sawicki said that chronic absenteeism is defined as missing at least 10% of instructional time for any reason, excused or unexcused. Sawicki stressed that regular attendance is essential for academic success, social growth and future opportunities.

Sawicki detailed plans for a small district team to participate in a two-year, statewide professional learning program for teachers and administrators. The priority for year one will be to develop an idea on how to increase student engagement in order to decrease chronic absenteeism.

Parent Kimberly McGinnis of Lowellville questioned whether Lowellville schools will begin to report habitually truant students to Mahoning County Juvenile Court. Sawicki said they would not at this time because most chronically absent students are missing school for reasons classified as “excused.” The court is focused on unexcused absences.

Other strategies to manage chronic absenteeism include:

• Strengthening communication with families, providing clear expectations and celebrating good or improved attendance through recognition programs.

• Using real-time data to flag students at risk of becoming chronically absent and responding quickly with supports such as parent meetings and mentoring.

• Partnering with community organizations to reduce obstacles like transportation, health or mental health needs that may impact attendance.

• Fostering welcoming, supportive environments where students feel connected through extracurriculars, clubs and positive relationships with staff.

• Tracking attendance daily and weekly at building and district levels, review data in leadership and teacher teams and hold regular check-ins with families of at-risk students.

Also at last week’s meeting, Sawicki discussed the district’s state report card, which was released Monday by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Celebrations, such as earning a rating of 3.5 stars overall; areas for improvement, such as the chronic absenteeism; action steps, such as adding an additional ELA tutor at the elementary level to provide targeted support to students; and progress, such as the creation of a math lab, can all be found in detail at lowellville.k12.oh.us/quick-links/report-card.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the treasurer’s monthly financial reports and appropriations for fiscal year 2026.

• Approved the treasurer’s forecast to be submitted to the state in October that shows the expected budget for this year as well as the projected budgets for the next three years.

• Approved the retirement of Brenda Shivley, p.m. custodial supervisor. Her last day was Sept. 3.

• Approved the retirement of Richard Beard, custodial aide. His last day will be Sept. 26.

• Approved retroactively Andrew Swanson as a custodial aide on an as needed basis for the 2025-26 school year at an hourly wage of $13.54.

• Approved retroactively Nathan Christy as a substitute bus driver for the 2025-26 school year at an hourly rate of $18.43.

• Approved Stephanie Havrilla as a an athletic / club supervisor on a supplemental contract.

• Approved Van Esenwein for an athletic supplemental contract.

• Approved building use for the Lowellville Sports Booster Club monthly meeting Sept. 8 in the cafeteria.

• Approved building use for the Junior High Team Dinners Sept. 10,17, 23 and Oct. 1, 8, and 15.

• Approved building use for the Hartman birthday party Sept. 27.

• Approved building use for the guidance department’s Financial Aid Night Oct. 9.

• Approved building use for Junior High Fall Dinner Oct. 15.

• Approved building use for Administration Career Day for grades 7 -12 on Jan. 25.

• Approved building use for the guidance department’s College Credit Plus Night.

• Approved Challenge 24 Tournament on March 19.

• Approved a one-day unpaid leave of absence for Cindi Clemens.

• Approved a field trip to the Villa Maria Education Center on Dec. 12, so the middle schoolers can sing Christmas carols to the residents.

• Approved Eric Grow on a supplemental contract as head high school track girls coach.

• Approved Robert Ballone Jr. on a supplemental contract as head high school track boys coach.

• Approved a resolution to adopt a cybersecurity and incident reporting plan per the requirements of Ohio House Bill 96.

• Adopted the Special Education Model Policies and Procedures that were released by the Ohio Depart of Education and Workforce in December and directs all staff in the district to use and comply with them.

• Authorized the superintendent to notify the ODEW of the board’s adoption of the model policies through the ODEW’s monitoring site by uploading a copy of the board resolution on or before Nov. 30.