501.10 - Unexcused Absence
501.10 - Unexcused AbsenceRegular 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 will attend school unless excused by the principal 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 will 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 or the administration.
Students are subject to disciplinary action for truancy including suspension and expulsion. It is within the discretion of the principal 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 supervised study hall or in-school
suspension unless the goals and objectives of the student's Individualized Education Program are capable of being met.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy. The administrative regulations will
indicate the disciplinary action to be taken for truancy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299 (2007).
281 I.A.C. 12.2(4).
Cross Reference: 206.3 Secretary
410.5 Truancy Officer
501 Student Attendance
503 Student Discipline
504 Student Activities
506 Student Records
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised
501.10R1 - Truancy - Unexcused Absence Regulation
501.10R1 - Truancy - Unexcused Absence RegulationStudents are required to be in attendance, pursuant to board policy, for 180 days per school year unless their absences have been excused by the principal for illness (absences for
five or more consecutive days due to illness require a doctor's note), family emergencies, doctor or dental appointment, 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. Parents are expected to telephone the school office to report a student's absence prior
to 8:30 a.m. on the day of the absence.
If a student accumulates 5 unexcused absences in a class, he or she may lose credit for the class. Prior to imposing the loss of credit in one or more classes, the principal will
provide the student an opportunity for an informal hearing.
School work missed because of absences must be made up within the number of days absent plus one. The time allowed for make-up work may be extended at the discretion of
the classroom teacher.
Students will remain in class until the principal makes a decision regarding loss or restoration of credit. Full credit is 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 is recorded in the student's record as an "AW" (administrative withdrawal).
A student who loses credit due to excessive absences is assigned to supervised study hall 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, will 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 will make reasonable efforts to advise and counsel and may impose discipline upon any student approaching 5 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.