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Attendance Policy

Attendance Laws

Kentucky School Law, KRS 159.50 states, “Any student who has attained the age of six [6], but has not reached his/her eighteenth [18th] birthday, who has been absent from school without valid excuse for three [3] days or more, or tardy without valid excuse on three [3] days or more, is a truant. Any student enrolled in a public school who has attained the age of eighteen [18] years, but has not reached his/her twenty-first [21st] birthday, who has been absent from school without valid excuse for three [3] or more days, or tardy without valid excuse on three [3] or more days, is a truant.”

Any student who has been reported as a truant two [2] or more times is a habitual truant.

A student who is absent for sixty [60] minutes or less of the regularly scheduled school day is tardy.

Excused Absences – Board Policy 09.123

An excused absences or tardiness is one for which the student shall be permitted to make up work, such as:

1. Death or severe illness in the pupil’s immediate family

2. Illness of the pupil [a physician’s statement may be required]

3. Medical and dental appointments with approval from the Principal

4. Participation in school related activities

5. Work in the family’s business [immediate family only, maximum of five days]

6. Severe weather conditions or natural disasters

7. Court appearances

8. Documented military leave

9. One [1] day prior to departure of parent/guardian called to active military duty

10. One [1] day upon the return of parent/guardian from active military duty, or

11. Other valid reasons as determined by the Principal, including trips qualifying as educational enhancement opportunities.

Unexcused Absences

All absences shall be considered unexcused unless the student brings a note from the parent/guardian within three [3] days after returning to school. After reviewing the note presented, the Principal or designee shall determine whether the absence is excused or unexcused. Verbal information from the parent may substitute for notes [provided the threshold for acceptance or parent notes [3 days worth per trimester] has not been reached].