Chronic Absenteeism In Beaumont USD Is A Thing Of The Past

BEAUMONT, CA — Is chronic absenteeism a thing of the past for the Beaumont Unified School District?

Recently, the district was recognized for its proven effectiveness in reducing chronic absenteeism and increasing student attendance. Melissa Williamson, the president of the Banning Unified School District’s School Board, spoke on the honor.

"This exceptional achievement places the District as a model for other Districts at a time when California has seen absences reach a staggering 25% in 2022-23 compared to only 12.1% levels in 2018-19.

Monday, the Beaumont Unified School District received the 2025 Model SARB Recognition at the California Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance State Conference in Garden Grove. Student Services Director Dr. Bobbi Burnett and Student Services Coordinator Amanda Fernandes with Student Attendance Technician Edgar Garcia received the award for the district.

The school board president spoke on the honor.

“Attendance is not just a matter of following rules; it is a fundamental factor that influences student learning, personal development, the financial health of the school district, and the overall success of the educational community in Beaumont,” Williamson said.

While California law permits punitive measures, such as fines for families whose children miss up to 10% of school days in a year, the Beaumont Unified School District is being applauded for including supportive measures in its response to addressing attendance with individual families.

“We’re dedicated to working with our families to identify attendance barriers specific to their unique situations and eliminating these barriers by connecting our families to school and community resources,” explained Dr. Bobbi Burnett, Student Services Director.

Amanda Fernandes, the Student Services Coordinator, also spoke on the matter.

“This approach truly embodies our dedication to fostering strong connections between home, school, and the wider community," she said.

The causes of chronic absenteeism are diverse and specific to each student, the district says. They can range from a “lack of access to student and family supports, and student and family health challenges,” according to the U.S. Department of Education.