NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – A local school district said doctor’s notes will no longer excuse your child’s absence.
The Lawrence County School System said the policy is aimed at improving the district’s attendance rate, but many parents are against it.
Rebecca Sanchez said her 10-year-old daughter got sick a lot last year.
“Between the strep throat and the flu, I can say she missed about 17 days,” Sanchez said.
If her daughter is absent for even half of that time this coming school year, it will now result in a referral to Lawrence County Juvenile Court for truancy.
“I have never been for or against homeschool, but because of this new policy, it has definitely changed my mind,” Sanchez said.
Under the Lawrence County School System’s new attendance policy, doctor’s notes will no longer excuse an absence. Students will now just be marked absent or present.
The policy states that after three absences, schools will start intervention. If the student keeps missing school, eight or more days, there will be a juvenile court referral.
“You can fail the grade,” Director of Schools Michael Adkins said during the district’s June school board meeting. “You can fail the course. You are going to be petitioned to court. You are not going to participate in graduation, get your driver’s license or permit.”
Adkins also said during the meeting, “We are going to take control of the attendance of our students. You can bring all the doctor’s notes you want, but it is still unexcused.”
While there will be exemptions for verified chronic illnesses and several other things, Adkins and other district officials said during June’s meeting that students need to learn reliability and work ethic.
“If you have the sniffles, that is fine,” Adkins said during the meeting. “You are going to have them when you go to work one day. We have all gone to work sick and hurt and beat up” …
