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Board reviews attendance and student-device policy updates after state guidance
Summary
The board reviewed proposed changes to attendance policy allowing three parent-submitted excused absences and discussed a new state requirement for K–12 cell-phone rules that limits phone use during instructional time.
The board reviewed upcoming policy readings, including a revised attendance policy and a new policy to comply with state legislative guidance limiting student cell-phone use during instructional time.
Staff said the legislature is requiring school systems to adopt a cell-phone policy that prevents student use during instructional time while allowing local discretion for non-instructional periods such as lunch or hallways. The proposed district approach would be K–12 consistent, with stricter limits for K–8 and some flexibility for high-school schedules, where principals recommended limited allowances between classes.
On attendance, staff described a change allowing parents to submit three excused absences; presenters said attendance rules derive from state guidance and that the district worked with principals and attendance supervisors to align policy changes with legal requirements. Elijah, identified in the meeting as present to answer questions, was credited with coordinating the policy changes and meeting with principals and attendance supervisors.
Board members said the new policies reflect principal feedback and noted that enforcement varied after weather-related disruptions earlier in the school year. The attendance and device policies will be presented as readings and return for final action at a subsequent meeting; minor word changes can be handled during the reading process when legally allowable.
