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Residents urge board to revisit excused‑absence rules and an exchange‑student regulation
Summary
During public comment residents called for a local conversation on excused‑absence allowances for menstruation and asked administrators to revise AR 202.1 after a denied waiver that prevents some families from hosting international exchange students.
Two Haverford Township residents used the April 9 public comment period to press the board on distinct policies.
Howard Rosen asked trustees to discuss state rules that allow 10 excused school absences without a doctor’s note, saying that daily menstrual‑related symptoms can exceed that allowance and that families should not have to obtain a doctor’s note to excuse periodic biological needs. Rosen cited Mayo Clinic materials about variability in symptom severity and urged the board to consider local policy or advocacy to address the issue.
Colin Quinn, whose family applied for a waiver to Administrative Regulation (AR) 202.1, said district staff informed them a waiver would not be granted. Quinn said the AR’s requirement that host families have a high‑school‑aged child in the home had a discriminatory effect on LGBT couples and other households that otherwise meet vetting and support expectations for exchange students. Quinn asked the district to modify or remove the provision so otherwise qualified families can host international exchange students.
Board members did not take formal action during the meeting; both speakers requested follow‑up dialogue and changes to administrative practice. Quinn said the regulation can be changed administratively and urged staff to move swiftly. The board’s next action meeting is scheduled April 23; staff have not announced a specific timeline for reviewing either matter.
