St. Vrain Valley School District did not join the cohort and did not respond to repeated requests for comment to multiple communications officials over several weeks. Davis said that in recent years, efforts at the school and district level have taken a more proactive, holistic approach. State and county grants that have funded programs like AALPS “have played massive roles” in improving attendance numbers, Davis said. Some districts have also used COVID relief funds to hire engagement staff members or additional school health professionals and counselors, who “have an enormous impact on school attendance,” Liljengren said. “We’re not in any position where we would be satisfied,” with a particular level of absenteeism Davis said.