I. General Attendance Policy
A. Policy Statement - Daily, punctual attendance is an integral part of the learning experience and is required of all students to receive the maximum benefit of the educational program. The habit of good attendance established early is one which helps a person be successful throughout their lifetime. More and more, employers, colleges and vocational schools expect good attendance and are checking attendance records for absences and tardies. They are aware that good and prompt attendance indicates dependability in a student.
The education that goes on in the classroom builds from day to day and as a result, absences always cause some disruption in the educational progress of the absent student. Students who are absent may not understand what the teacher is currently presenting, and may also become discouraged with the double burden of keeping current and making up missed work. In order to maintain interest and understanding in program of instruction, students should not expect to be absent any more than is absolutely necessary. Irregular attendance or tardiness by students not only retards their own studies, but also interferes with the progress of those students who are regular and prompt in attendance. Attendance is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation and communication among students, parents and school.
B. Absences
a. Personal illness or serious health condition. Medical documentation required. It is the student’s responsibility to provide such written verification.
b. Funeral, death or emergency illness in the family.
c. Doctor/dental appointment which cannot be scheduled at another time. Students may be asked to submit medical documentation to the office to verify appointment.
d. Documented legal appointments (Court appearance, visits to probation officer).
e. Family/Religious activity which is cleared in advance of activity (schoolwork must be completed in advance of absence).
f. School-Sponsored activity
- Absences caused by school-sponsored activities (field trips, athletic events, school arranged college visits, etc.) will not be recorded as an absence on the permanent
- record card. Make-up work will fall under the same category as an excused absence.
- Suspension
- Unique circumstances as approved by administration.
School work missed because of excused absences must be made up within the number of days absent, plus one day. The time allowed for make-up work may be extended at the discretion of the classroom teacher.
C. Tardiness
1. A student is tardy when the student initially appears in the assigned area any time after the designated starting time. After 15 minutes, the student will be counted as absent for that period.
2. All incidents of class tardiness will be the responsibility of the teacher except for tardiness to school first period which goes through administration. Teachers will emphasize the importance of being on time and explain the classroom rules and procedures for tardies. The tardy sanctions should be consistently applied and sequential. Sanctions may include, but are not limited to, warning, assigned detention, parent contact and referral to the principal.
D. Truancy
1. A student is truant when the student is absent from school or an assigned class or classes without school permission.
2. Work missed because of truancy must be made up the same as work for all other absences.
3. Incidents of truancy will be recorded as part of a student's attendance record and will count toward the absences per semester. The principal will also determine what, if any, disciplinary action is appropriate including, but not limited to, warning, detention, in-school suspension or administrative referral.
II. Excessive Absenteeism
Excessive absenteeism is any absence beyond 7 days or individual class meetings per semester.
A. When a student has been unexcused from school or a class for the 3rd, 5th, or 7th time during a given semester, the student's parent will be contacted via telephone or mail regarding the student's attendance. The building administrator will initiate the notification process and initiate appropriate sanctions.
III. Application of Sanctions
A. Excessive absences will result in the following:
1. If a student is unexcused absent 7 days from any given class, the student will be dropped from that class. The student will receive no credit for the class.
2. If a student is unexcused absent 7 days in 3 or more individual classes, the student will be dropped from the regular school program and referred to principal pursuant to the district's plan for at-risk students.
IV. Appeals
A. First level of appeal
1. When notified that the student has missed 3 (days or class periods), the parent should contact the teacher and principal to discuss the student's attendance and prevent any further unexcused absences.
2. When notified that the student has exceeded 7 unexcused absences and that the student will be dropped from a class or school, the student and parent may file a written appeal with the principal within 3 school days of the notification. Sanctions imposed under this policy will be final unless a written appeal is submitted to the principal.
3. The student will remain in the class or in school pending completion of the appeals process.
4. The informal appeals hearing will be scheduled within 5 school days after the appeal is filed.
The principal will consider the following in reaching a decision:
a. absences caused by family/religious activity, documented chronic or extended illness, hospitalization, family death or emergency, medical or dental care which could not be scheduled at another time, court appearances or other legal situations beyond the control
of the family, school-related class or program activities approved by administration, suspensions;
b. attendance history of the student;
c. extenuating circumstances particular to the student;
d. educational alternatives to removal from class or school; or
e. the total educational program for the individual student.
5. The decision of the principal will be reached within one day of the hearing. The parent will be notified of the decision in writing.
B. Second Level of Appeal
Students and parents seeking a review of the principal’s decision regarding sanctions rendered under this attendance policy may do so by filing a written request for review with the superintendent within five days after the principal’s decision. The superintendent will determine an agreeable time, place and date for the review and notify the student and parent. At the conclusion of the review, the superintendent will affirm, reverse or modify the principal’s decision.
C. Appeal to Board of Directors
Students and parents may appeal the superintendent's decision by filing a written request for review by the board within five days with the board secretary. It is within the discretion of the board to determine whether to hear the appeal. If the appeal is accepted, the board secretary will determine an agreeable time, place and date for the review and notify the interested persons. At the conclusion of the review, the board may affirm, reverse or modify the superintendent's decision.
Approved 4/11/05
Reviewed 11/15/21
Revised 7/19/11
