Policy committee reviews model updates on truancy, questions 'board appoints' language

Dr. Warren, presenting staff revisions to the district's attendance policy, told the committee the draft aligns the district with a new model policy and clarifies terms used for attendance teams and legal procedures.

"Chronic absenteeism is when a student misses 10% or more of school for any reason. Truancy is related to, just unexcused absences," Dr. Warren said, noting that state law requires a referral to a designated student support or assistance team when a student is determined to be truant.

The presentation emphasized that chronic absenteeism — whether caused by illness, family issues or other reasons — is linked to poorer academic outcomes, while truancy triggers legal reporting and procedural steps. Dr. Warren outlined a set of redline changes that would bring the district language into closer alignment with the model policy, including updated age and definition language and streamlined notice procedures.

Several committee members raised procedural questions. Board member Youssara Ali asked why the model language uses "the board selects the attendance coordinator" and whether that should instead be delegated to the superintendent. Dr. Warren said the model policy originally used the board language but that statute allows the superintendent to make the appointment and that staff can return with clarified wording.

Members also questioned the removal of the paired phrase "parent/legal guardian" and whether "parent" alone would be sufficiently inclusive in policy language; Dr. Warren said he would check with legal counsel and bring clarification back to the committee. The committee did not adopt the attendance policy at this meeting and asked staff to return with legal clarifications and a redline that reflects the committee's preference on the attendance-team term and appointment authority.

The committee flagged the following follow-ups: confirm whether "parent" alone is acceptable in all referenced statutes; decide between the terms "student assistance team" and "student support team" and propagate the chosen term throughout the policy; and, if the committee prefers, prepare an amended draft substituting superintendent appointment authority for board appointment authority.