Board clarifies athletic attendance rule; administrators say 20 athletes would have been affected

The Lakeland School Corporation on Monday approved a clarified provision in the athletic handbook that ties eligibility consequences to a student-athlete accruing 10 unexcused absences.

A presenter said administrators examined rosters and attendance data to determine the effect of the change. "This would only impact students that hit that 10 unexcused absences," the presenter said, adding that the majority of those absences were students missing early periods and later returning for practices. The presenter said school administrators would monitor attendance and intervene earlier, with weekly or bi-weekly checks once a student reached five unexcused absences.

According to the presentation, 20 athletes would have been impacted under the clarified language. The presenter emphasized that medically excused absences and verified parent calls (the district allows eight verified absences) are not included in the unexcused tally. The change is intended to reinforce an existing four-period-in-day requirement for participation and to reduce chronic absenteeism among student-athletes.

Board discussion noted the potential competitive and programmatic impacts of removing athletes from participation; one board member said losing 20 athletes would be “a huge impact” for a district of this size. The board approved the second reading of the athletic handbook; the transcript records the vote as carrying with one opposed.

Next steps: administration said it will work with high-school principals to identify attendance issues earlier, perform regular checks and meet with students who reach the five-unexcused threshold to set expectations before any penalty would apply.