A new attendance policy for students in the Cumberland County School system was adopted last night in a second and final reading by the board of education. The revision comes after a law went into effect in the state regarding attendance. The number of excused absences in Cumberland County schools now goes from 10 days per school year to six. According to the attendance policy, an absence is excused for one of the following reasons:

1. personal illness
2. illness of immediate family member
3. death in family
4. extreme weather conditions
5. religious observances
6. college visits
7. pregnancy
8. school-sponsored or school-endorsed activities
9. summons, subpoena or court order
10. circumstances which in the judgment of the principal creates emergencies over which the student has no control
11. other absences as pre-approved by the principal, based on appropriate documentation at least 10 school days prior to day(s) to be missed
12. If a student is exempt from final exams per board policy, the absence on the day of the exam is excused
13. driver’s license/permit appointments will be excused with proof of appointment.

Tardies, including early dismissal for any reason other than the excuses listed above, will be considered unexcused. The excused absence would also allow the student to make up any assignments missed. According to the Cumberland County School System truancy-intervention plan, a warning letter is sent to parents after a student has missed three days, whether excused or not. Officials say the warning letter is a courtesy to inform parents/guardians of the days missed by the student. On a fourth unexcused day per school year, the student and parents must meet with a school counselor and teachers. Upon a fifth unexcused absence, the student is referred to juvenile court and must appear before the juvenile-court judge with their parents. Also according to the policy, any student with even one unexcused absence is ineligible to be exempt from an exam. Officials say some Tennessee counties are dropping their excused-absences numbers even lower than what Cumberland County is proposing, to come into compliance with state law. The policy also states that more than 10 consecutive or 15 unexcused absences by a student during any semester will render a student ineligible to retain a driver’s permit or license, or to obtain it if of age. In order to qualify for reclaiming a driver’s permit or license, the student must earn a passing grade in at least three full unit subjects or their equivalency at the conclusion of a subsequent grading period. Students with more than five unexcused absences will have the opportunity to appeal in an attendance-hearing committee appointed by the school principal. The appeal must be heard no later than 10 school days after the request for appeal is received by the principal. The new policy will go into effect for the upcoming 2018-2019 school year.