5200 - ATTENDANCE

Perry Local School District

Bylaws & Policies

5200 - ATTENDANCE

The educational program offered by this District is predicated upon the presence of the student and requires continuity of instruction and classroom participation. Attendance shall be required of all students enrolled in the schools during the days and hours that the school is in session or during the attendance sessions to which s/he has been assigned.

A student in grades 9 through 12 may be considered a full-time equivalent student provided the student is enrolled in at least five (5) units of instruction, as defined by State law, per school year.

In accordance with statute, the Superintendent shall require, from the parent of each student of compulsory school age or from an adult student who has been absent from school or from class for any reason, a written statement of the cause for such absence. The Board of Education reserves the right to verify such statements and to investigate the cause of each single absence or prolonged absence.

Repeated infractions of Board policy on attendance may result in truancy charges being filed, in addition to school discipline.

The Board considers the following factors, which are based on the R.C. 3301-69-02 and R.C. 3321.04, to be reasonable excuses for time missed at school:

	A.	personal illness/professional appointments (a written physician’s statement verifying the illness or professional appointment is required)

	B.	illness in the family necessitating the presence of the child

	C.	quarantine of the home

	D.	death of a relative

	E.	necessary work at home due to absence or incapacity of parent(s)/guardian(s)


	F.	observation or celebration of a bona fide religious holiday

	G.	out-of-state travel (up to a maximum of four (4) days per school year) to participate in a District-approved enrichment or extra-curricular activity

		Any classroom assignment missed due to the absence shall be completed by the student.

	H.	emergency or other set of circumstances

	I.	medically necessary leave for a pregnant student in accordance with Policy 5751

	J.	service as a precinct officer at a primary, special or general election in accordance with the program set forth in Policy 5725

Attendance does not always have to be within the school facilities, a student will be considered to be in attendance if they present are present at any place where school is in session that has been authorized by the Board.

The Board shall consider every student assigned to such programs in regular attendance, as long as, the program has proper supervision, and s/he demonstrates progress toward the objectives of the course of study.

The Superintendent may excuse a student over fourteen (14) years of age from attendance at school for a future limited period for the purpose of performing essential work directly or exclusively for his/her parents or guardians. Such excuse should not exceed five (5) days and may at the discretion of the Superintendent be renewed for five (5) additional days. At no time, however, shall such excuse cause a student to be absent from school for a period of more than ten (10) consecutive days.

At the discretion of the Superintendent or his/her designee, a student may be excused for a longer period of time than ten (10) days if a child's parent or guardian has recently died or become totally or partially incapacitated and there is no older brother or sister living in the home who is out of school. (The Superintendent may request a certificate of a physician attesting to the physical condition of the parent or guardian.)

According to R.C. 2151.011, a student will be considered habitually truant if the student is absent without a legitimate excuse for five (5) or more consecutive school days, for seven (7) or more school days in one (1) month, or twelve (12) or more school days in one (1) school year.

R.C. 2152.02 states that a student will be considered chronically truant if the student is absent without a legitimate excuse for seven (7) or more consecutive school days, for ten (10) or more school days in one (1) month, or for fifteen (15) or more school days in one (1) year.

Legitimate excuses for the absence of a student who is otherwise habitually or chronically truant include but are not limited to:

	A.	the student was enrolled in another school district;

	B.	the student was excused from attendance in accordance with R.C. 3301-69-02 and R.C. 3321.04; or

	C.	the student has received an age and schooling certificate.

If a student is habitually truant and the student’s parent(s)/guardian has failed to cause the student’s attendance, the Board authorizes the Superintendent to file a complaint with the Judge of the Juvenile Court and/or to take any other appropriate intervention actions as set forth in this Board’s policy.

If a student is chronically truant and the student’s parent(s)/guardian has failed to cause the student’s attendance, the Board authorizes the Superintendent to file a complaint with the Judge of the Juvenile Court.

In order to address the attendance practices of a student who is habitually truant, the Board authorizes the Superintendent to take any of the following intervention actions:

	A.	assign the student to a truancy intervention program

	B.	provide counseling to the student

	C.	request or require the student’s parent to attend a parental involvement program

	D.	request or require a parent to attend a truancy prevention mediation program

	E.	notify the Registrar of Motor Vehicles of the student’s absences

	F.	take appropriate legal action

	G.	assignment to an attendance/alternative recovery program

The Superintendent is authorized to establish an educational program for parents of truant students which is designed to encourage parents to ensure that their children attend school regularly. Any parent who does not complete the program is to be reported to law enforcement authorities for parental education neglect, a fourth class misdemeanor if found guilty.

The Superintendent shall develop administrative guidelines that:

	A.	establish proper procedures so the student and his/her parents are provided the opportunity to challenge the attendance record prior to notification and that such notification complies with R.C. 3321.13 (B)(2);

	B.	establish a school session which is in conformity with the requirements of the rules of the State Board;

	C.	govern the keeping of attendance records in accordance with the rules of the State Board;


	D.	identify the habitual truant, investigate the cause(s) of his/her behavior, and consider modification of his/her educational program to meet particular needs and interests;

	E.	provide students whose absence has been excused an opportunity to make up work they missed and receive credit for the work, if completed;

	F.	refer for evaluation any student who, due to a specifically identifiable physical or mental impairment, exceeds or may exceed the District's limit on excused absence to determine eligibility either under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or other appropriate accommodation.

Definitions and Specifics of the Attendance Policy:

Excused absences are those defined by R.C. 3301-69-02. These require parent communication (phone call) and a note with a parent signature within (three (3) school days) of returning to school.

Medical excuses are not included in the fifteen (15) excused absences as defined by the ORC. All medical excuses must be signed by the attending physician and be submitted to the individual building attendance office within three (3) school days of being treated by the doctor.

Funeral days are excused absences, but are not included in the fifteen (15) excused total (up to two (2) days). If additional days are required, the student may use family leave days or appeal to the administration.

Unexcused - Defined as an absence that cannot be verified by parent and/or doctor's note within three (3) school days (see above). Progressive discipline will be included, and a student will lose credit for school work missed.

Family Leave Days - Each student may have five (5) approved absences. These include but are not limited to vacation, weddings, additional college visitations, etc.

Tardy to School - Student will be considered tardy if they arrive within twenty (20) minutes of the school start time.

Early Dismissal - Considered the last twenty (20) minutes of the day.

College Visitation - College visits for seniors (two (2) days) and juniors (one (1) day). Any additional days requested and approved shall be counted as vacation days.

Make-Up Days - Any student who has met or exceeded the fifteen (15) excused days (not including ORC approved days) shall be given the opportunity for Saturday school to avoid additional truancy charges. Two (2) Saturdays (four (4) hours per day) equals one (1) official school day.

Review Panel - Building Administrator(s). All appeals will go to Superintendent or his/her designee.

Half day absences will be defined as missing less than three (3) hours and twenty (20) minutes accumulated time of a school day.

Full day absences will be defined as missing more than three (3) hours and twenty (20) minutes in a school day.

Extra-curriculars/Co-curricular - Students must be in attendance a minimum of a half (1/2) day (three (3) hours and twenty (20) minutes of the school day). Enforced by supervisor and/or the Athletic Director to participate in activity.

Delayed Start Days - Tardies will remain anything less than twenty (20) minutes. Half day/full day will be adjusted to the length of the school day.

R.C. 3313.664, 3321.01 et seq., 3321.13(B)(2), 3321.19, 3321.191, 3321.22
R.C. 3321.38, 3323.041, 3331.05
A.C. 3301-35-03(G), 3301-47-01, 3301-69-02

Revised 6/18/91
Revised 12/93
Revised 2/23/99
Revised 5/22/01
Revised 8/28/07
Revised 8/18/08
Revised 6/29/10
Revised 6/28/11
Revised 4/22/14
Revised 4/26/16