501.09 – Truancy-Unexcused Absences

Regular attendance by the students at school is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program. Parents and students alike are encouraged to ensure an absence from school is a necessary absence. Students shall attend school unless excused by the principal of their attendance center.

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, employment, baby-sitting, haircuts, and tanning. 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 to determine, in tight of the circumstances, whether a student may make up work missed because of truancy.

The building principal shall investigate the cause for a student’s truancy. If the building principal is unable to secure the truant student’s attendance, the building principal should discuss the next step with the school Board. If after school Board action, the student is still truant, the truancy officer shall refer the matter over to the county attorney.

The school will participate in mediation if requested by the county attorney. The superintendent shall represent the school district in mediation. The school district will monitor the student’s compliance with the mediation agreement and will report violations of the mediation agreement to the county attorney.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy. The administrative regulations shall indicate the disciplinary action to be taken for truancy.

Date of Approval: July 15, 1996

Reviewed & Revised: January 27, 2003; September 5, 2006; January 21, 2008; March 15, 2019