Board eyes new attendance rules

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District policy may include stiffer regulations, penalties for absences

A new set of Cranbury School policies could have parents thinking twice before allowing children to miss school.

Community members will get a chance to weigh in on a series of proposed attendance and discipline policy changes and regulations at a school board meeting Feb. 20 at 8:30 p.m. in the large group instruction room.

The changes, including a more specific discipline policy that outlines ramifications for specific behavior, a new student code of conduct and a stricter attendance policy, are required by the state's recent changes to its Administrative Code, said school board member Joan Weidner, chairwoman of the Policy Committee.

According to the proposed attendance policy, illnesses, doctor visits, family emergencies and certain religious observation days will be considered excused absences, while vacations and other reasons for missing class will not be excused.

After four unexcused absences, the school will have to notify a student's parents and investigate the cause of the absences. If a student reaches between five and nine unexcused absences, the school will have to notify the parents again and conduct an additional investigation as to the reason for the absences. If a student has 10 unexcused absences, the school will make a mandatory referral to the state Division of Youth and Family Services.

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