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Board approves first reading of revised attendance policy with changes to medical‑absence language
Summary
On first reading the board approved edits to attendance policy 4400, including consolidations, new guidance on alternative school attendance and a late change to remove the word “physically” from the illness definition to explicitly include mental health absences; the board also asked for wording changes around "immediate family."
The board took first reading action on revisions to attendance policy 4,400 during its March 6 meeting, accepting substantive updates and two late edits requested at the meeting.
The presenter explained the revision consolidates scattered language, updates sections on extended medical absences and clarifies counting rules for students enrolled in alternative school programs with non‑standard schedules. In a late change the administration recommended striking the word "physically" from the personal illness or injury definition so the policy would also cover mental health absences; the board approved that edit for first reading.
Members raised cultural and operational concerns with the phrase "immediate family," noting state definitions may not reflect kinship and guardianship arrangements in the community. Board members suggested replacing or dropping the word "immediate" so bereavement and similar excused absences would not exclude important family relationships. The board also flagged a likely typo ("accumulated leave" should read "accumulated absences") for correction.
Because this was a first reading the board did not finalize every implementation detail; the administration said corrected language and any additional suggested edits will be returned at second reading.
