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Twin Valley SD debates attendance-policy changes tied to cyber-charter transfers in first reading
Summary
At a March 9 meeting, administrators presented updates to Policy 204 (attendance) to comply with PA School Code (24 PS §13). Board members debated how restrictions and notifications would apply to students transferring to cyber charters and whether the district's virtual program should be referenced.
Administrators presented revisions to Board Policy 204 on March 9 to conform to Pennsylvania School Code changes (24 PS §13). The update requires district staff to notify the person or parental relation who resides in the student’s household within 10 school days after a student's third unexcused absence and adds two provisions that limit a habitual truancy student’s transfer to a cyber charter school during the school year unless a judge finds the transfer is in the student’s best interest.
Board members and administrators spent substantial time clarifying how the new language will work for non-biological guardians, what information the notices must include, and how the district will communicate resources for academic recovery and supports. Several members urged clarity on whether the policy should explicitly exclude or reference the district’s own virtual academy (TV VA); some argued TV VA is different from outside cyber charters because it is part of the district and provides more direct supports, while others said naming TV VA in Policy 204 may be unnecessary and risk confusion for parents.
One board member summarized the policy goal as a stronger notification and support process: the policy is 'just a notification to bolster up attendance' and to prevent students from transferring to external cyber charters as a default solution when attendance becomes a problem. Administrators said they will provide data on transfers and recommended returning with a week of additional research and clarification before finalizing language. The board agreed to move the item forward as a first reading and requested administration draft clarifications on parental-notification processes, which guardians receive notices, and how academic recovery resources will be provided.
Next steps: administration to research transfer data, clarify whether and how TV VA should be referenced in policy language, and return with proposed wording and implementation details for further board review.
