More than 200 directors of pupil personnel (DPPs) and district team members from across Kentucky gathered Sept. 16-18 at the Griffin Gate Marriott in Lexington for the 2026 Kentucky Directors of Pupil Personnel Institute. Built around the theme “Showing Up,” the three-day professional learning event focused on one of the most important commitments educators can make: showing up for students.

A Timely Focus on Attendance

For years, DPPs have worked largely behind the scenes to help students get to school, partnering with families, schools and communities to remove barriers to attendance. With chronic absenteeism now becoming part of Kentucky’s state academic accountability system, that work is moving to center stage. DPPs are being called upon not only to identify and respond to chronic absenteeism, but to lead districtwide efforts to better understand why students are missing school and develop meaningful strategies to help them get back on track. The 2026 KDPP Institute provided an opportunity for DPPs from across the Commonwealth to come together, learn from one another and prepare for this important next chapter in their work.

Learning Together Across Kentucky

The Institute brought together DPPs and district leaders with representatives from the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), the Kentucky Center for Safe Schools (KCSS), and education partners from across the Commonwealth. The schedule reflected the broad scope of the DPP role, with sessions addressing attendance, safety, student interventions, alternative learning, family engagement, student health, emergency planning, home hospital instruction and positive school culture.

Putting Chronic Absenteeism at Center Stage

A major focus of the Institute was helping DPP teams move from simply responding to absenteeism to developing intentional, districtwide plans to address it. Nationally recognized author and education specialist Jessica Sprick served as the keynote speaker and returned for the closing session. Her sessions challenged DPP teams to consider practical, multi-tiered approaches to attendance and to leave the Institute with an action plan they could put to work in their districts.

Understanding HB 257

The conference also provided an important opportunity for Kentucky DPPs to learn directly from KDE about the state’s new attendance requirements. Jessica Carlton of KDE led the state’s first training for DPPs focused on HB 257, providing information about how chronic absenteeism will be measured and how districts can track and monitor attendance using the federal definition. Additional sessions throughout the Institute focused on attendance data, early warning systems, attendance audits, prevention strategies and creating a culture where students know they belong.

More Than Attendance

While attendance was a central theme, the Institute reinforced that the work of a DPP extends well beyond a single attendance number. Breakout sessions explored school safety and emergency operations, human trafficking and sextortion resources, alternative learning programs, home hospital instruction, family literacy and GED pathways, educational neglect prevention, school calendars, student health, positive culture and the power of relationships.

Celebrating the People Behind the Work

The Institute concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing two Kentucky educators whose work represents the often behind-the-scenes impact of student services.

Chad Willis of Washington County School District was named the 2026 DPP of the Year. Rex Hanson of Elizabethtown Independent Schools was named the 2026 DPP Support Person of the Year. The awards highlighted the dedication of professionals who build relationships, solve problems and work every day to help students and families stay connected to school.

A Leadership Transition

The Institute also marked the conclusion of Chad Butler’s term as KDPP President. Butler, who serves as Associate Superintendent for Meade County Schools, helped lead the organization through the planning and hosting of the 2026 Institute. At the close of the conference, Jami Ward, DPP for Clark County Schools, assumed the role of KDPP President.