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Parent asks district to clarify new attendance‑minutes policy; superintendent pledges follow‑up
Summary
A parent asked for clarification about a new attendance email stating minutes missed will be recorded in PowerSchool and that students must be present 70% of the day for a full‑day. Superintendent Doctor Hartman said staff will confer, consider an FAQ and follow up with the community.
During public comment, a parent asked the board to clarify a district email about an attendance policy change that records minutes missed in PowerSchool and defines a full‑day as attendance for more than 70% of the school day.
The parent (public commenter, S12) said the email was confusing and expressed concern that routine medical appointments, mental‑health visits or school‑based services could accumulate minutes and negatively affect students’ attendance records. She asked whether excused and unexcused absences, tardies and early dismissals would all be treated the same and said she worried about shaming parents who must schedule appointments during school hours.
Doctor Hartman (Superintendent) responded that staff will talk as a team, review whether the communications are causing confusion, and consider publishing a frequently asked questions document if the same questions recur. “If you get the same question more in 2 or 3 times, we typically put out an FAQ on that,” he said. He committed to follow up with the parent and to provide community‑facing clarification.
The parent requested that clarifications be shared broadly because the issue likely affects other families; the superintendent agreed to coordinate next steps with his team and the board secretary for communications.
Next steps: staff to review attendance communications, prepare clarifying materials (FAQ or community notice) if appropriate, and follow up with the parent and the broader community.
