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Board reviews first readings on student‑absence verification, SARB/chronic‑absence and field‑trip policies
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Summary
At first reading, staff proposed consolidating religious‑absence language into the verification‑of‑student‑absence policy (5113), broadening SARB policy into a chronic‑absenteeism intervention policy (5113.2) including attendance recovery options, and updating field‑trip rules to raise a monetary threshold ($7,700) and allow Tier‑2 fingerprinted volunteers to supervise trips.
The board reviewed three first‑read policy revisions.
Verification of student absences (proposed revision to board policy 5113): staff said the proposal embeds prior separate language about participation in religious exercises into the broader verification policy and moves administrative detail into administrative regulations. The change is described as a consolidation intended to maintain legal compliance while streamlining district policy language.
Chronic absenteeism and SARB (proposed revision to board policy 5113.2): staff described a shift from a strictly SARB‑centered policy to a broader interventionist approach that emphasizes early identification and supports to reduce absenteeism. The update also addresses a newly allowed "attendance recovery" option (effective July 1, 2025) by which students can make up learning time through before/after school or summer programming; staff said attendance recovery allows the district to recoup ADA but does not remove absences from a student’s record.
Field trips and excursions (proposed revision to board policy 6153): staff proposed raising the monetary threshold that triggers board review to $7,700 and clarifying that "Tier 2" volunteers — fingerprinted and cleared through DOJ/FBI and required to complete training and TB clearance — may serve in supervisory roles on field trips. Trustees discussed language clarity around how solicitation of funds and out‑of‑state travel should be listed; the board agreed to revise sentence order to reduce ambiguity and waived second reading with the proposed clarifying edits.
Why it matters: the policy revisions aim to align district rules with state changes (attendance recovery), provide clearer language for volunteer participation on trips, and reduce repetitive policy documents by consolidating related rules.
