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Board reviews attendance policy changes stressing that 'an excused absence is still an absence'
Summary
Staff proposed tightening the district’s attendance policy to clarify excused vs. unexcused absences, SART procedures, independent study limits and identification checks for student checkout; the board set the item for second reading and adoption next month.
Staff member Petra presented proposed revisions to the district attendance policy, telling the board she wanted to clarify technical points and close loopholes. "I really wanted to be intentional about calling out that an excused absence is still an absence," Petra said.
Nut graf: The changes are procedural and aim to clarify the roles of principals and the student services director, define the purpose of school attendance review team (SART) meetings, tighten limits on independent study and require identification for student checkouts so staff know who is removing a student from campus.
Petra told the board the packet highlights new or changed language in red and noted the policy will better distinguish steps for support (health plans or 504 accommodations for chronic illness) from steps to hold families accountable once chronic absence thresholds are reached. She said one change calls for clearer examples (for instance, winter break and long holidays) and tighter limits on combining independent-study windows with additional vacation days to prevent extended absences.
Board members asked clarifying questions about SART participation by students in grades 6–12 and the difference in practice for kindergarten through fifth grade; Petra agreed to tweak language to clarify that older students may attend SART meetings and that elementary SARTs typically do not include the student.
On student checkout, Petra said the district will ask for photo identification and will accept a range of forms; staff will also visually verify the student where appropriate. Petra acknowledged concerns about undocumented parents and indicated the policy will allow flexible identification types while still requiring some form of photo ID to ensure student safety.
The district plans a second reading and adoption of the attendance policy at the September board meeting.
