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Parent asks board for excused‑absence flexibility for out‑of‑area competitions
Summary
A grandparent asked the board to allow additional non‑absent days for students who travel for competitions (dirt‑bike racing, out‑of‑state cheer competitions); administrators offered to follow up with the parent and the school principal and recommended the parent meet with staff after the meeting.
HARRISON COUNTY, W.Va. — A grandparent asked the Harrison County Board of Education during public comment July 15 whether the district can provide additional non‑absent days or alternative arrangements for students who travel for sanctioned extracurricular competitions, such as dirt‑bike racing and competitive cheer.
The speaker said her grandson competes through September and that travel sometimes requires leaving on a Friday for races held in other states. She said the family wants to avoid homeschooling and would prefer a process that allows the child to get school assignments and complete them without being marked absent. She also raised a related request for a granddaughter who attends competitive cheer with out‑of‑state events.
Administrators responding said the parent should meet with the principal and district staff after the meeting to discuss options; staff suggested the principal and Mr. Kirby (district staff who works with impacted students) as contacts. The presenter advised the parent that the principal had previously told her the district currently allows five absences that do not require a doctor’s note; district staff said policies and local attendance rules vary and that an individualized discussion with school staff would be the appropriate next step.
No board vote or policy change occurred. Staff invited the parent to stay after the meeting or to be put in contact with Mr. Kirby for follow up.
