The Regional Office of Education #26 truancy intervention program, Project Stay In, is actively supporting 105 students to date during the 2025-2026 academic year. Students are referred to the program when they reach nine unexcused absences. According to ROE26 Regional Superintendent John Meixner, the goal is to provide early, meaningful intervention that helps families get back on track with consistent attendance.
“ROE 26 Attendance and Family Support Specialists Doug Bradley, Todd McDillon and April Yerbic have been working diligently to support students and their families. Since the start of the school year, they have recorded nearly 400 interactions with students and parents/guardians,” Meixner explained. “These interactions include school visits, home visits, phone calls, mailed letters, emails, text messages, parent meetings and participation in Regional Office of Education 26 truancy hearings.”
Meixner stressed the Attendance and Family Support Specialists go beyond monitoring attendance: they focus on identifying and addressing the barriers that keep students from school. Staff assist families in understanding school and state attendance policies, problem-solving challenges and connecting them with needed supports. This may include providing clothing, shoes, and school supplies, or linking families with community resources such as mental health services, food pantries, and housing assistance.
