Board approves pilot allowing chronically ill students meeting conditions to qualify for exam exemption with B minimum

The Robertson County Board of Education approved a pilot policy for the 2025–26 school year that allows students with documented chronic illnesses to qualify for exam exemptions if they meet the requirements of a designated chronic illness form and achieve a minimum grade of B in the course. Administrators explained the pilot would be applied case by case and requires a completed, compliant chronic illness form on file; principals would be responsible for verifying compliance and applying the exemption process. Staff noted that, under the pilot language presented, a compliant student could miss a significant number of days (the example cited was as many as 20 days in a semester) and still be eligible for the exemption if the form’s conditions are met and the grade threshold is achieved. Trustees discussed the policy’s scope and whether the B minimum was an appropriate threshold, noting concerns about equity for high‑attendance students with lower final averages. One trustee asked administrators to treat the pilot as a temporary measure and requested a follow‑up report from building administrators after the year to determine whether it should become permanent. Vote: The board approved the pilot by voice vote, 6‑0. Why it matters: Exam exemptions affect student workload, attendance incentives and grading equity. The pilot explicitly narrows exemptions to students with documented chronic conditions who meet compliance requirements and achieve a B or better.