Trustees ask staff to clarify attendance regulation after parent confusion over credit loss

Board members raised concerns about communication and implementation of a recently adopted attendance regulation that establishes thresholds for denying course credit in secondary schools.

A trustee said they had received parent reports that teachers were applying the regulation as a strict ‘‘10 absences = failure’’ rule. The superintendent and secondary principals said the regulation includes required parent notification, waiver processes for extenuating circumstances and multiple steps before credit is denied. "That's not what the regulation says. It says that you could be, you may not get the credit. You have to be notified," the superintendent said during the meeting.

Staff agreed to clarify communications to principals, issue guidance to teachers, and distribute explanatory materials to families so parents and students understand how the attendance threshold works and what steps are available prior to credit denial. The board asked staff to monitor implementation and return with recommendations if adjustments are needed.