Board to review prom‑dismissal practice after parents, students and committee clash with attendance policy; students press for Eid holiday

At the Feb. 24 meeting of the Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education, the governance committee reported it will reexamine building practices and district rules governing prom early dismissals after board members, parents and students raised concerns about inconsistent application of attendance policy.

The governance committee reported it had reviewed the 2025–26 school calendar, social‑emotional learning outreach and protocols related to prom and Google Chat. The committee said it will seek additional data on how many students would be affected if the district designates Eid as a school holiday.

The nut graf: Board members and parents said building‑level practices granting prom‑related early dismissals appear to conflict with district attendance regulations, and asked the governance and policy committees to reconcile the handbook, regulation language and building procedures before making a district‑wide change.

Board discussion focused on whether juniors should be allowed to leave early on prom day to prepare for the event and on whether permission slips used by building administrators conflict with district attendance policy. Several board members said district policy requires four hours of attendance to be eligible for extracurricular activities, while building practices have long provided more specific procedures for prom. Dr. Balotti and other administrators said the issue lies in interpretation and long‑standing building procedures rather than a formal policy change. Members asked administration to consult principals and report back quickly because junior prom at one school is scheduled in early March.

Public comment included students asking the board to add Eid to the school calendar. Zahra Islam, a Hills sophomore from Montvale, told the board students “put in this request before” and argued honoring Eid as a holiday would “foster a more inclusive environment.” Two other students said missed days for religious observance caused academic hardship and that some absences during Ramadan have led to attendance struggles.

The board agreed governance and policy committees will review the relevant attendance regulation and handbook language and report options, including whether the administration can safely implement a temporary prom dismissal practice for this year. No policy changes were adopted at the meeting.

Ending: Board members asked Mr. Weaver and administration to assemble the written policies and handbooks in question and to return recommendations to committee and the full board as soon as possible.