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Novi board adopts updated attendance policy ahead of new school year
Summary
The board approved revisions to Policy 5301 (attendance), clarifying how absences will be coded as documented or verified; the vote was unanimous to adopt changes before school starts.
The Novi Board of Education voted Aug. 14 to adopt revisions to Policy 5301, the district's attendance policy, after committee review and discussion. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
Why it matters: The revised policy clarifies how the district will record absences and aligns coding practices used in handbooks with board policy. Administrators said the changes are intended to streamline attendance coding before the fall term begins.
What the board discussed: Mr. Micah (district staff presenter) told the board the Governance and Policy Committee had reviewed the policy on March 12 and administrators had reconciled policy language with how absences are recorded in handbooks. Dr. Carino, the presenting district administrator, and committee members answered board questions.
Board member comments focused on recordkeeping distinctions. Mr. Michener asked whether “documented” absences (notes from an outside authority) and “verified” absences (parent or guardian confirmation) would be treated differently in the student attendance total. Dr. Carino replied that the designations are intended for internal recordkeeping and that both documented and verified absences will count equally toward a student's absence total; the difference is how the absence is recorded in the system.
The motion to adopt Policy 5301 was made by Mrs. Roney and supported by Mrs. Beaudoin; the board approved the policy 7-0.
Next steps: The revised policy will be available to staff and families in advance of the school year; administrators said it needed board approval now to ensure handbook alignment before school begins.
