501.3 COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE
Parents within the Wapello Community School District who have children over age 6 and under age 16 by September 15, in proper physical and mental condition to attend school, shall have the children attend the school district at the attendance center designated by the board. Students shall attend school the number of hours school is in session in accordance with the school calendar.
Students of compulsory attendance age shall attend school a minimum of 1080 hours. Students not attending the minimum hours must be exempted by this policy as listed below or, for students in grades 7-12, referred to the County Attorney or, for students in grades KE-6, referred to the Attendance Cooperation process. Exceptions to this policy include children who:
have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or had obtained a high school equivalency diploma;
- are attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;
- are attending an approved or probationally approved private college preparatory school;
- are attending an accredited nonpublic school; or,
- are receiving competent private instruction.
It is the responsibility of the parent of a child to provide evidence of the child's mental and physical inability to attend school or of the child's qualifications for one of the exemptions listed above.
The principal shall investigate the cause for a student's truancy. If the principal is unable to secure the truant student’s attendance, the principal should discuss the next step with the superintendent. If the student is still truant, the principal shall refer the matter over to the County Attorney for students in grades 7-12.
The school will participate in mediation if requested by the county attorney. The superintendent shall represent the school district in mediation. The school district will monitor the student's compliance with the mediation agreement and will report violations of the mediation agreement to the county attorney.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 259A; 279.10-.11; 299.1-.1A; 299A (1993).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
601.1 School Calendar
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
Approved: 8/17/1995
Reviewed: 1/11/2001; 12/08/2005; 02/14/2008; 1/12/12; 7/19/22
Revised: 10/11/2017; 12/9/2020