Board adopts 3‑day grace for written excuses in attendance policy

The Catawba County Board of Education unanimously approved amendments to Attendance Policy 4.3 that add a three‑day grace period for parents to submit a written excuse after a student's return to school and formally set limits on parent‑provided excuses.

Crystal Davis reviewed the changes the board proposed, telling members the district had historically required a written excuse the day a student returned but principals often allowed flexibility. "It's always been the day the student returns," she said, asking whether the board wanted to provide a three‑day grace period. Several members urged the board to give parents the extra time to accommodate real‑world logistics; one member said principals commonly allowed three days "even though it was not in the policy."

Under the adopted amendment, written parent excuses will be accepted up to three days after a student's return; beyond that, excused absences require documentation from a doctor, dentist or court official. The policy also codifies previously discussed limits: five parent‑provided excused absences per semester for high school students and 10 for elementary and middle school students, with medical or chronic conditions covered by separate provisions.

Board members discussed practical implementation: district staff will need processes to track and potentially change absence codes if a parent's note arrives after a record is entered. Dr. Stover and other staff acknowledged the change increases clerical work for administrators and agreed to monitor whether the extra workload becomes burdensome.

The board approved the amendment by raised hand with the chair announcing the vote as unanimous.