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Board delays student‑progression plan after teachers urge 50% makeup limit

Madison County School Board · December 16, 2025
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Summary

After Madison County High School teachers sent an email urging the board to keep a 50% maximum grade for work made up after unexcused absences, the school board postponed final advertisement of the student progression plan and directed staff to collect additional teacher feedback.

MADISON — The Madison County School Board paused action on the district’s proposed student progression plan after a teacher petition and public commenters raised concerns about proposed changes to grading and promotion rules.

The issue centered on a provision that would allow students who complete makeup work after an unexcused absence to earn as much as 75% on the assignment. During public comment and board discussion, members read an email from Madison County High School teachers arguing the district should retain a 50% cap. The email, read on the record by a board member, said in part: "We believe the 50% policy more effectively supports student responsibility, maintains instructional integrity, and ensures accurate grading practices." The email argued a 75% ceiling "does not create a meaningful consequence" for unexcused absences and that 50% better preserves accurate measures of mastery.

Doctor Holmes, who presented the plan, said the 50% floor dates back to SREB guidance from about 2004–2005 and that staff had solicited feedback from principals while drafting the document. "That was in 2004, 2005 when SREB published that information," he said, explaining the origin of the 50% standard.

Board members and speakers raised several related concerns: ensuring the principal consulted teachers at the high school before the document reached the board, clarifying how the rule applies to suspensions versus unexcused absences, and whether the change would artificially inflate grades or undermine attendance expectations.

The board directed staff to gather more teacher input — staff offered to distribute a Google form to collect specific feedback — and agreed to postpone advertising the plan until the January workshop so the proposed language can be refined before public advertisement.

What’s next: Staff will circulate a feedback form to school staff and bring compiled input to the January workshop before any final vote or public advertisement.