Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools revise truancy policy and volunteer screening guidelines

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education held a work session on April 10, 2025, where significant discussions focused on updating policies related to student attendance and volunteer engagement, reflecting the district's commitment to fostering a supportive educational environment.

One of the key topics was the revision of the truancy and tardiness policy. Board members emphasized the importance of not being punitive towards students who are tardy or truant. The proposed changes aim to eliminate out-of-school suspensions as a consequence for these issues, instead allowing for in-school alternatives, such as lunch detention. This approach seeks to keep students engaged in their education while addressing attendance concerns. The board unanimously approved the first reading of the revised policy, reinforcing their commitment to maintaining students' time in school.

In addition to attendance policies, the board discussed updates to the school volunteer policy. With approximately 2,500 approved volunteers in the district, the board recognized the need for clear and accessible guidelines. The revisions aim to align with state education policies while ensuring that the community remains engaged and that volunteer requirements are straightforward. Changes include clarifying the screening process for volunteers and ensuring that the policy is user-friendly for parents and guardians.

Another important policy reviewed was the domicile or residency requirements. The board aimed to simplify the language and eliminate redundancy to make the policy more understandable for families, particularly those new to the district. This update includes clarifying the definitions of domicile and residence and expanding the policy to encompass all students under the custody of various child welfare agencies, not just those from the Orange County Department of Social Services.

These discussions and policy revisions reflect the board's ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for all students and families in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community. The next steps will involve further discussions and approvals as the board continues to refine these important policies.