501.10 TRUANCY - UNEXCUSED/EXCESSIVE 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 failure to attend school for the minimum number of hours established in the school calendar by the board. Truancy is the act of being absent without parental and/or school knowledge. Truancy will not be tolerated by the board.
Unexcused absences shall include, but not be limited to, oversleeping, shopping, grooming, recreation, going to another area of the building instead of class, senior pictures, and working for hire.
Students are subject to disciplinary action for truancy including suspension and expulsion. It shall be within the discretion of the principal to determine, in light of the circumstances, whether the student may make up work missed because of the truancy. Students receiving special education services will not be assigned to in-school suspension unless the goals and objectives of the student's Individualized Education Program are capable of being met.
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.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299 (1993).
281 I.A.C. 12.2(4).
Cross Reference: 501.3 Compulsory Attendance
503 Student Discipline
504 Student Activities
506 Student Records
Approved: 8/17/1995
Reviewed: 1/11/2001; 12/08/2005; 02/14/2008; 1/12/12; 7/19/22
Revised: 10/11/2017