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Board weighs stricter absence limits amid questions on excused absences
Summary
Members discussed a rule that could remove members after three absences in 12 months; some asked for explicit language for excused absences and clarity on how unavoidable emergencies will be handled. Staff will clarify removal and excusal language in the redline.
Members discussed an absence provision that would remove any member with three absences in a 12‑month period. Miss Xu asked whether the proposed rule allows for excused absences — for illness, funeral attendance, or other compelling reasons — and whether the rule was intended to be strictly cumulative.
"It says if you have 3 times absence under any circumstances, it might... that's how I understand the language," Miss Xu said, noting the provision could be interpreted to remove members for legitimate, non‑recurrent reasons. Chair Jean Ryan and other members said the intent is to address chronic nonattendance but acknowledged the wording should be clarified in the next draft to allow justifiable exceptions and to ensure the board’s workload and time commitments are clear to prospective members.
The group agreed to carry the absence wording forward to the consolidated draft and to capture member questions and suggested edits in the redline so the office of law can review excusal criteria and cumulative counting in the next round.
