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Board reviews first reading of updated comprehensive student attendance policy
Summary
At its May 7 meeting the Pelham board considered a first reading of an updated student attendance policy intended to align policy language with current practice and provide clearer procedures for excused absences, documentation and extracurricular eligibility.
The Pelham Union Free School District Board of Education reviewed a first reading of a revised comprehensive student attendance policy at the May 7 meeting.
Assistant administrators presenting the policy said the update mainly aligns written policy with current practice and improves consistency across buildings. Key clarifications include a requirement that a written note be provided within 48 hours to the main office for an absence, daily call-in expectations and clearer language about how excused and unexcused absences affect make-up work and course credit.
Administrators said the policy retains a framework to address excessive unexcused absences that could affect credit but also builds in an expectation that counseling, MTSS teams and building administrators work with families when mental health or other complicating factors affect attendance. The presenters said significant substantive overhauls would require a longer stakeholder process; this revision is intended as an alignment and clarity step.
The draft also clarifies that a student must attend at least 50% of the school day to be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities that day — reflecting long-standing practice.
Board members supported taking time to digest the redline and noted the policy will appear again for formal adoption; principals will update student handbooks to match the final policy language.
