Board approves revisions to student attendance and bullying policies

The Burke County Public Schools Board voted to approve revisions to the district’s student attendance policy (board policy JB) and its bullying policy (board policy JCD AAG).

Mr. Harter introduced the revisions and said the attendance changes move procedural text into a separate student attendance protocol. He said the bullying policy change follows a new legislative act effective July 1 that narrows the definition of bullying by removing some off-campus cyberbullying from the definition, which requires related updates to the district’s code of conduct.

Board members asked clarifying questions. One member confirmed that absences may be excused with either a doctor’s note or a parent note; the presenter said both were acceptable and that the revised language will be posted to the district website. After discussion, a motion to approve the revisions to board policy JB (student attendance) and board policy JCD AAG (bullying) was made, seconded and approved by show of hands (four members recorded in favor).

The board did not amend the policies further at the meeting. Staff said procedural details that were removed from the policy will live in protocols maintained by relevant committees and departments.