Board presses for clearer attendance and truancy procedures as administrative text was removed from policy drafts

Board members raised concern that administrative procedures tied to attendance and truancy had been removed from the draft policy packet, arguing teachers need accessible, consistent instructions for recording absences, contacting parents and escalating chronic truancy.

A board member said teachers at the high‑school level face large class rosters and cannot realistically manage every attendance follow‑up without district systems and staff support. District staff explained the district already uses a 3‑tier truancy process aligned to statute — tier 1 and tier 2 interventions and tier 3 referral to truancy court — and that letters and automated parent contacts are part of that approach. Staff said many implementation steps will be retained in administrative procedures rather than the policy text.

Board members asked that the policy clearly identify where associated administrative procedures live and suggested the district add a standard statement linking each policy to its administrative procedures in the policy manual. One board member asked staff to ensure systems (Synergy and robocalls) continue to trigger parent notification for unexcused absences and asked staff to provide clearer, consistent site practices so teachers are not required to perform excessive clerical work.

Speakers included multiple board members and Mister Brodsky, who said the district has developed a procedure framework that will remain in administrative procedures and be used to comply with statutory truancy obligations.