Parents and students push for inclusive honors course; attendance policy cited for revision

At the Dec. 15 meeting of the Hastings-on-Hudson Board of Education, public commenters urged the district to expand culturally responsive curriculum and to revisit attendance policy enforcement.

Diana Barenbaum, a parent leader from the community organization SPICE (Students and Parents for an Inclusive Curriculum in Education), thanked administrators and staff for supporting student affinity groups and said students and parents welcome a new honors elective being developed to reflect a more inclusive curriculum. Barenbaum named student leaders and several staff members who supported the work and recommended that the district consult New York City Department of Education and New York State localized-histories materials as resources that meet NYSED standards.

Later in the public-comment period, Lisa Kim, a parent of a high-school and Farragut student, raised concerns about an attendance rule in the student handbook (page 11) that classifies "unexcused" absences as subject to disciplinary action and that in some instances bars make-up work. Kim cited New York State Education Department Commissioner’s decision 13966 and NYCRR 100.2 and argued that distinguishing between excused and unexcused absences when imposing academic consequences can create inequitable outcomes for students and families.

Policy committee members and the superintendent acknowledged the concern and said the board plans to review and refine policy 5110 (student attendance) to ensure alignment with state guidance and equitable application. The committee also highlighted that policy revisions and several other policies (including education-initiative definitions and promotion/retention language) will be on upcoming agendas for first reads and continued discussion.

The board invited continued public input and said student representatives will present in person at a future meeting to expand the conversation.