Recent data presented at the October 22 Manassas City School Board meeting showed that Osbourn High School has seen a significant rise in absenteeism. Over 16% of its student population has been categorized as chronically absent, meaning they miss more than 10% of the school year. This places Osbourn among the city’s schools, which are struggling the most with attendance, directly affecting its academic performance and state accreditation.
Student absenteeism has become a growing concern in Manassas City Public Schools, with Osbourn High School facing particularly troubling attendance trends. During a Potomac Local News forum on October 17, 2024, school board candidates and community leaders discussed the root causes of absenteeism and the efforts needed to address this critical issue.
Maidy Whitesell, a school board candidate, emphasized the importance of transparency and data in tackling absenteeism. “We need to see the numbers and understand why students aren’t attending school. Whether it’s cultural, a mental health issue, or something else, we can’t address the problem without the facts,” she said during the discussion.
Causes of Absenteeism
Attendees discussed several factors contributing to absenteeism at Osbourn High School. A lack of accountability within the school system has been identified as a significant issue. Robyn Williams, a current school board member, stated that students often leave school grounds with little resistance despite efforts from teachers stationed at doorways to prevent such behavior. “Teachers report it, but nothing happens,” she added, citing a breakdown in dealing with absenteeism.
Other causes include social factors like students needing to work or care for younger siblings, making it difficult for them to attend school regularly. Whitesell highlighted this as another major challenge: “Many students have family responsibilities that pull them away from school,” she said.
Moreover, basic logistical issues such as dissatisfaction with school lunches and limited bathroom access have been reported as reasons students leave the campus during the day. According to feedback from students, these factors often drive them to skip school entirely.
Efforts to Combat Absenteeism
The forum also touched on the measures the district is taking to address this pressing issue. A newly implemented “learning cycle” has been implemented to improve attendance and academic performance, part of a broader strategy emphasized by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. However, community leaders stressed that more direct and immediate interventions are necessary, especially when holding students accountable for absences.
Communication between parents and the school has also improved recently, with Osbourn High School’s new principal sending out newsletters in both English and Spanish. These updates inform families about absenteeism policies and encourage parental involvement in ensuring their children attend school regularly.
Moving forward, the school board candidates and current members agreed that reducing absenteeism would require consistent policy enforcement and increased communication with both parents and students. Expanding career and technical education (CTE) programs was suggested to keep students engaged, particularly those who may not find traditional academic settings appealing.
