Henrico resident urges board to reject makeup-work rule that would allow full credit regardless of absence reason

Marlene Sherlock, a Fairfield District resident, told the Henrico County School Board that a proposed makeup-work policy, identified in public comment as P7-08-00008, would erase the distinction between excused and unexcused absences and effectively permit students to recover full credit "regardless of whether an absence is excused or not." Sherlock said that approach would undermine expectations for attendance, devalue teachers' planning time and preparation, and send poor signals to students and employers about workplace accountability.

"How can you in good conscience talk about accountability and propose that work can be made up for full credit regardless of whether an absence is excused or not?" Sherlock asked. She urged trustees to craft a policy that distinguishes between a student who cuts class and one who is absent for legitimate reasons.

Sherlock said the policy would create extra work for teachers, extend grading periods and erode the usefulness of attendance as a lever for instruction. "Having to create makeup work and dragging out the grading period for materials adds to even more tasks on their already full plate," she said, adding that unchecked makeups risk producing graduates who are unprepared for the demands of the workplace.

The board did not respond during the public forum. As announced earlier in the meeting, board members will not answer speakers' concerns during the public forum; a district staff member will follow up with speakers after the meeting.

Background and next steps: Sherlock framed her remarks around the draft policy number raised during the comment period. The transcript of the meeting records public comment and the board's procedural steps but does not show a board discussion or a vote on P7-08-00008 during this session. Any formal consideration or revision of the policy would need to appear on a future agenda for board discussion or action.