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Board adds review of district practices for chronically ill students as trustees seek clearer accommodations
Summary
After a motion to add the item passed, trustees discussed state attendance rules and called for clearer district procedures to show "compassion and grace" for chronically ill students while complying with DESE rules that require direct supervision for attendance credit.
A motion to add a discussion of district practices relating to serious and chronic illness passed at the beginning of the work session, and trustees used much of the meeting to explore how the district balances state attendance rules with compassion for chronically ill students.
Attendance staff reminded the board of Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidance that, for state attendance and aid purposes, students must be present "in the instructional capacity under the direct supervision of a Missouri certified teacher" to be counted for state aid. The district reported a K–12 attendance rate near 81.2% (80.5% including early learning) as of May 8 and recommended keeping the current high‑school final‑exam exemption (for students with 97%+ attendance and passing grades) in place for 2025–26 while rethinking incentive design.
Trustees expressed worry about chronically ill students who must miss school for ongoing medical care. "If I'm a mom and I have a child who's chronically ill ... I'm trying to keep my kid alive," one trustee said, asking for written procedures to ensure such students are not penalized and can access incentives and support. Staff suggested "popup" incentives and pledged to convene parent and stakeholder input and return with ideas and possible procedures; they also agreed to provide examples and a policy‑level proposal for further discussion at the June work session.
The newly added agenda item underscored a recurring theme at the meeting: trustees want more transparent procedures and clearer lines of communication between staff and the board when policy changes affecting student welfare are considered.
