507 - Truancy - Unexcused Absences
507 - Truancy - Unexcused AbsencesRegular attendance by the students at school is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program. Parents/Guardians and students alike are encouraged to ensure an absence from school is a necessary absence. Students shall attend school unless excused by the principal/designee of their attendance center.
Truancy is the failure to attend school for the minimum number of days established in the school calendar by the board. Truancy is the act of being absent without a reasonable excuse. These absences shall include, but not be limited to, tardiness, shopping, hunting, concerts, preparation or participation in parties and other celebrations and employment. Truancy will not be tolerated by the board.
Students are subject to disciplinary action for truancy including suspension and expulsion. It shall be within the discretion of the principal/designee to determine, in light of the circumstances, whether a student may make up work missed because of truancy. Students receiving special education services will not be assigned to in-school suspension unless the goals and objectives of the student's Individualized Education Program are capable of being met.
The truancy officer, principal/designee or other school official will investigate the cause for a student's truancy. If the truancy officer, principal/designee or other school official is unable to secure the truant student's attendance, the truancy officer, principal/designee or other school official should discuss the next step with the superintendent or board. If after board action, the student is still truant, the truancy officer, principal/designee or other school official will refer the matter over to the county attorney for students of compulsory attendance age.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal/designee, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy. The administrative regulations shall indicate the disciplinary action to be taken for truancy.
Date of Adoption/Revision:
December 21, 1998
June 1999
August 2000
July 2003
July 2006
July 2010
September 2012
August 2015
507R1 - Truancy - Unexcused Absences Regulation
507R1 - Truancy - Unexcused Absences RegulationStudents are required to be in attendance, pursuant to board policy, for 1080 hours per school year unless their absences have been excused by the principal/designee for illness, doctor appointments, or dental appointments (absences for three (3) or more consecutive days due to illness may require a doctor's note), family emergencies, recognized religious observances and school sponsored or approved activities. Reasonable excuses may also include family trips or vacations if the student's work is finished prior to the trip or vacation. Absences that do not fall within the categories listed above will be considered unexcused unless approved by the principal/designee. Parents are expected to telephone the school office to report a student's absence prior to 9:00 a.m. on the day of the absence.
If a student accumulates three (3) unexcused absences in a class, he or she may lose credit for the class.
Students shall remain in class until the principal/designee makes a decision regarding loss or restoration of credit. Full credit shall be awarded to all assignments and tests submitted that meet the teacher's specifications until a decision regarding credit has been made.
If a student loses credit, that fact shall be recorded in the student's record as an F.
A student who loses credit due to excessive absences shall be assigned to in-school suspension for the period(s) in which the course(s) meets or the student may be reassigned to another class or location. A student who, after a hearing before the board, loses credit in all courses due to unexcused absences, shall not be allowed to participate in any school activities until the following semester. However, the student is eligible to practice if all other eligibility criteria have been met.
The administration and guidance staff shall make reasonable efforts to advise and counsel and may impose discipline upon any student who has accumulated two (2) unexcused absences.
Such advice, discipline and counseling includes, but is not limited to, oral or written notices to the student and his or her parents, conferences with the student and parents, written contracts, or loss of non-academic privileges such as extracurricular activities, open campus, late arrival, early dismissal, or others as added by individual school districts.
Date of Adoption/Revision:
September 2012
August 2015