SCS Sees Gains in Student Attendance, Discipline

SCHOHARIE - Schoharie Central School has made great strides in the areas of student attendance and discipline in the last three years, school Superintendent David Blanchard said at the January 18 board meeting.

The attendance gains have been good at both the elementary and secondary schools, Mr. Blanchard told school board members.

The attendance problem has shifted at the elementary school, he explained. After schools returned to normal after the pandemic, the attendance problem was getting students to attend school, now it is punctuality.

"It wasn't long ago that the thing was to get them to attend," Mr. Blanchard said, "now it's getting them here on time."

New policies, activities, and clubs in the district have gotten students more involved on all levels, he noted. New intramurals and clubs "are really paying dividends." Participation on the modified and JV is "really encouraging."

The district made the attendance and discipline policies stricter for students since the pandemic, he added.

"We raised the bar quickly, but we did it in a positive way." Other new clubs included outdoor and adventure clubs and more.

Mr. Blanchard said he would have more information on the academic gains in the elementary school next month.

In the high school there are far fewer absences than in years past, Mr. Blanchard said, which is very encouraging. The absent list in the high school is now very short every day. He will give the board more data next month.

As for discipline, "the climate is great in both buildings," he told school board members. "There are no problems in the halls. We are encouraged by the growth."