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Sumner County attendance supervisor proposes limiting parent excuse notes to three per semester
Summary
Melanie Webster, the county attendance supervisor, presented a first-reading revision that would reduce allowable parent excuse notes from five to three per semester and require daily parent communication; board members raised concerns about sick children and implementation timing.
Melanie Webster, Sumner County's attendance supervisor, told the school board she is proposing a revision to the district's attendance policy that would reduce parent-written excuse notes from five per semester to three.
"I would propose that we reduce that and add into our board policy that we are allow 3 parent notes per semester," Webster said, explaining the change is intended to reduce chronic absenteeism and align the district more closely with surrounding counties that have stricter note limits.
Webster reviewed state definitions and accountability targets: Tennessee counts students as chronically absent at 10% of school days (18 days out of 180), and the district's current practice (five parent notes per semester) can allow up to 15 parent-excused days without further documentation.
Under the proposed language, Webster said a parent note would be for each day absent (not for a multi-day event) and that once parent notes are exhausted absences would be considered unexcused unless accompanied by a doctor's note or other state-recognized excuse. She also said principals may excuse extenuating circumstances and the district will follow progressive truancy tiers that begin with attendance contracts and school-level meetings.
Board members questioned whether the policy could unintentionally encourage parents to send sick children to school. "A sick child in school is no better than being home," one board member said, urging the district to preserve flexibility for health situations. Webster replied that doctor's notes remain a valid excuse and that nursing staff and attendance clerks will work with families through tiered interventions before referral for truancy.
Members also asked about effective dates and waivers. Webster said she would prefer the policy to take effect at the start of a new school year rather than immediately, noting that some parents have already exhausted existing parent notes for the current semester. Webster said the district plans to request waivers the state typically permits (for example, additional make-up days or online options) and expects to present the revised policy for a second reading after further review.
Webster said parents may submit notes in writing, by email to teachers or the attendance clerk, through daily folders with elementary students, or during home visits; the attendance office also contacts families directly when absences reach tier thresholds.
The item remains at first reading; further discussion and a vote are expected at a later meeting.
