Title and Board Action Requested
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Approve out-of-state travel for Jill Kolasa, Director of Student Services and Angela Miller Royal, Coordinator of Student Support Programs, to attend the 113th Annual Conference of the International Association of Truancy and Dropout Prevention Conference (IATDP) in Memphis, Tennessee, October 19-22, 2025.
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Executive Summary
The Director of Student Services, on behalf of the Superintendent of Schools, respectfully requests Board approval for out-of-state travel for herself and Angela Miller Royal to attend the 113th Annual Conference of the International Association for Truancy and Dropout Prevention (IATDP).
Held under the theme “School and Community Building a Bridge Forward: Combating Causative Factors of Truancy,” the 2025 IATDP Conference will convene educators, researchers, students, public health professionals, and education advocates to explore effective, evidence-based interventions to reduce truancy and dropout rates. Sessions will address a range of contributing factors, including academic barriers, family dynamics, socioeconomic challenges, and mental health issues that impact student attendance and engagement.
By attending, the Director and Coordinator will engage with national and international experts and return with actionable strategies to strengthen local student support systems-particularly in the areas of mental health and early intervention-aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism, truancy, and dropout rates across the district.
The following expenses will be covered through the Mental Health Plan: Registration $1,100, Flight (roundtrip) $700 not to exceed $1,000, Lodging $1,600, Meals $300 and transportation $400, for a total of $4,800.
My Contact
Jill Kolasa, Director
Student Services
352-797-7008
2023-28 Strategic Focus Area
Priority 1: Student Success
Financial Impact
The cost for this agenda item is $ 4,800. See attached budget sheet.
If expenditure is not currently budgeted, this will serve as the budget amendment when Board approved. If the agenda item includes the purchase of goods or services, the funds requested are an anticipated amount and may fluctuate depending on such factors as current market conditions, product availability, additional funding sources, and the needs of the District. Should the actual cost exceed the anticipated amount, the Board approves the additional cost, after review by the superintendent, but not in excess of the funds available in the site’s approved annual budget.