Lawrence County School Board adopts stricter chronic-absence rules after public outcry

The Lawrence County School Board on Aug. 21 adopted a revised attendance and truancy policy and a separate chronic-absence policy after extended public comment from parents and community members and a lengthy presentation from district leaders.

Supporters of the new rules and district officials said the changes are meant to address long-running chronic absenteeism — students missing many weeks of school across a year — while preserving “common sense” handling of short-term illness and family emergencies.

Why it matters: Board members and staff cited recent district attendance trends showing an increase in chronic absenteeism from earlier reporting years and said students who miss dozens of days fall irretrievably behind. Opponents at the meeting argued the rules are too rigid, could penalize low-income and medically vulnerable families and urged clearer written language about doctors’ notes, nurse excusals and mental-health absences.

Public comment and community concerns

Dozens of residents attended the meeting to urge changes. Sabrina Moore, a Lawrence County parent, said the policy could push struggling families into the child-services or court systems and noted financial penalties she said the policy imposes: “The penalties for these families who are struggling is unjust and not right,” Moore said during public comment.

Maria Riggenbach, another parent, said the draft did not align with state…