Board says attendance policy still in force after statewide confusion; administration to clarify and notify families

The Henderson County Board of Public Education reiterated Oct. 13 that the district’s existing attendance policy — which caps absences that count toward withholding credit — remains in effect and asked administration to communicate enforcement steps after state-level confusion.

Superintendent Art Garrett told the board the State Board of Education considered redefining an “FF” grade but did not adopt a clarifying statement that would have barred withholding credit for attendance alone. The district’s local policy (4,400) still specifies absence limits for high school credit: five absences for semester courses and 10 for year-long courses; excessive absences can result in withheld credit unless a student qualifies for approved recovery procedures in policy.

Board members described inconsistent interpretations circulating among staff and students and said some students believed they could miss large amounts of class while still receiving credit. After discussion the board directed administration to take immediate steps to clarify: principals should deliver school-level messaging and assemblies the first day back in the new grading period; the district will send parent notices; and the superintendent will draft a letter to the State Board of Education requesting clearer, collaborative guidance on attendance and credit. The board also asked administration to treat the just-completed nine-week grading period as a transition and to start consistent enforcement with the second nine-week period.

Board members said they support local discretion to enforce attendance-based credit rules and noted state truancy statutes remain in effect. No change to local policy was made at the meeting.