Jordan High School student Kyle Nguyen addressed the Katy ISD Board of Trustees during the July 28 public comment period to request a change to the district's exam-exemption policy.

Nguyen, an incoming senior and class president, said more than 1,500 students, parents and teachers signed a petition within two days asking the board to exempt absences verified by a licensed medical professional from counting against final-exam exemption eligibility. "If a student is sick and stays home with the doctor's note that absence still penalizes them," Nguyen said. He described peers attending school sick because missing time could cost them an exemption and argued the policy places health and academic achievement in conflict.

Nguyen asked the board to allow absences verified by a licensed medical professional to be excused for exemption eligibility, saying such documentation would preserve accountability while encouraging students to stay home when ill and reduce contagion in classrooms.

The board did not take formal action during the meeting. Trustees did not indicate a vote; staff or trustees may review the petition and the policy for a future agenda item.