Columbus Metropolitan Club: When Staying in School Takes More Than School

The City of Columbus hosted a forum on March 11, 2026, focused on addressing chronic absenteeism and the non-academic barriers that impact student success, such as food insecurity, housing instability, and mental health challenges. The discussion highlighted the importance of community partnerships, wraparound services, and holistic support models to help students stay engaged and succeed academically. Panelists emphasized the need for increased funding and resources to support these initiatives, as well as policy changes to allow more flexible school days and better integration of community services. The forum also introduced a new statewide attendance dashboard (attendance.gov) to provide data transparency and support targeted interventions. While no specific procurement actions or contract awards were discussed, the meeting underscored the critical role of funding and resource allocation in sustaining educational support programs.