Policy 5.09

Enforcement of School Attendance

1. School attendance is the direct responsibility of parent(s)/guardian(s) and students. Except as provided in Section 1003.24, Fla. Stat. and State Board of Education Rule 6A-1.09513, all students are expected to attend school regularly and to be on time for classes in order to benefit from the instructional program and to develop habits of punctuality, self-discipline, and responsibility.

2. It is the policy of the School Board that schools respond in a timely manner to unexcused absences through a letter mailed to the home and/or telephone calls.

3. It is the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian(s) of each student to justify the absence of the student. The justification will be evaluated based on the adopted School Board definition that defines "excused" and "unexcused" absences.

   1. An "excused" absence is

      1. Student illness-- If a student is continually sick and repeatedly absent from school, he or she must be under the supervision of a physician in order to receive an excuse from attendance.

      2. Medical appointment

      3. Death in the family

      4. Observance of a religious holiday or service that is recognized as such by all members of the faith.

      5. Subpoena by law enforcement agency or mandatory court appearance.

      6. Other individual student absences beyond the control of the parent or student, as determined and approved by the Principal or the Principal's designee.

   2. An "unexcused" absence is any absence that does not fall into one of the above excused absence categories. Each school in the District must determine if an absence or tardiness is excused or unexcused according to the criteria established by the Board, within this Policy.

4. The school centers shall track the excused and unexcused absences in the District's computer system.

5. In the case of an unexcused absence from school or an absence for which the reason is unknown, the Principal (or designee) must contact the home in a timely manner to prevent the development of a pattern of non-attendance.

6. Each school Principal shall implement the steps enumerated in Section 1003.23(1), Fla. Stat. to ensure regular school attendance. If the child does not comply with efforts to enforce school attendance, the Superintendent may file a truancy petition pursuant to Section 984.151., Fla. Stat.

7. Each student will be required to attend classes one hundred and eighty (180) days each school year.

8. All school related trips which are authorized by the principal are not considered absences under this Policy. The school related trips should be those which relate to the curriculum.