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Board debates tightening parent-note allowances in student attendance policy JH
Summary
District staff recommended limiting parent-note excuses in attendance policy JH to five days to identify chronic absenteeism earlier and trigger interventions sooner.
Anderson School District 5 trustees heard a proposed revision to student attendance policy JH that would limit parent-note excuses and move the district to earlier intervention on chronic absenteeism.
Mr. Galloway (district staff) told the board that Anderson 5's chronic absenteeism rate is higher than the state average and that administrators want a more proactive policy. Under the proposed revision staff presented, parent notes would cover a maximum of five days per period; parental notes beyond five days would be counted as unexcused unless the principal approves for extenuating circumstances. The change is intended to identify attendance problems sooner and make earlier referrals to county attendance and support services.
Administrators said the change does not affect medically documented absences or bereavement; rather, it is aimed at limiting repeated, nonmedical parent notes that staff said some parents have used to excuse many absences. Mr. Galloway and other staff described current practice: attendance clerks generate automated notices when students are absent, schools attempt contact with families, and students with persistent absence move to an attendance intervention plan and, if needed, referral to the county board or juvenile services.
Trustees raised legal and equity questions. One board member pointed out that state regulation language cited in the discussion references a 10-day threshold in its current statutory/regulatory form and asked district counsel to confirm whether the board can set a lower internal threshold without creating a conflict with state rules. Other trustees worried about consistent application across schools, whether principals would exercise discretion uniformly and whether a shorter parent-note allowance could inadvertently harm families with irregular schedules or transportation barriers. Board counsel and staff agreed to review the regulatory citation (listed in the discussion) and to return the policy for second reading with clarifying language and implementation guidance.
The policy was discussed as a first-reading item; no final vote occurred at this meeting.
