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Long Meadow School Committee approves new attendance-for-credit policy for Long Meadow High
Summary
On May 26 the committee approved a handbook change requiring students to be present at least 90% of class time to earn course credit (exceeding 17 absences in a full year or eight in a semester risks loss of credit), with exceptions and an appeals process; the measure will be piloted and monitored.
The Long Meadow School Committee voted May 26 to adopt a Long Meadow High School attendance policy that requires students to be present for at least 90% of class time to receive course credit. Under the policy, students who exceed 17 absences in a full-year course or eight absences in a semester course risk losing credit, though the administration added explicit exceptions and an appeals process.
A presenter from the high school told the committee the proposal mirrors the state definition of chronic absenteeism and is intended as a tool to shift community norms about attendance. "A student must be present at least 90% in class to receive credit," the presenter said, and the proposal includes an accessible appeals process for disability-related absences, chronic illness and other extenuating circumstances.
Committee members pressed for details on remediation and transcript effects. The administration said grade points would not be removed from transcripts; instead the policy is designed so students who pass the class but lose credit for attendance could pursue credit recovery or equivalent online/summer options to have credit restored. "If they were granted an appeal, there's no loss of credit," the presenter said. Administrators also said the main office, together with assistant principals and administrative assistants, will keep attendance records and ensure consistent application.
The committee emphasized flexibility and communication. The presenter said the change will be treated as a pilot: the district will advertise the policy this summer, begin active monitoring in August and return to the committee with an update next year.
Votes at a glance - Approval of May 14, 2026 minutes: approved by members present. - Approval of LHS attendance policy (handbook amendment): motion moved, seconded and approved by the committee. - Naming of new middle school (Long Meadow Middle School): approved. - Superintendent summative evaluation: approved and chair authorized to sign. - End-of-year budget transfer authority (policy DBJA): authorized to superintendent for FY close. - Consent agenda (building-use requests): approved. - Contract approvals (superintendent FY27 amendment; three-year contracts for assistant superintendent and director of special education): approved.
What happens next The administration said it will treat the policy as a pilot and begin outreach this summer; the committee asked for a report on implementation and appeals outcomes next year. The policy document includes specific exemptions for school activities, observed religious holidays and absences documented under IDEA or Section 504.
