501.7 Compulsory Attendance

Parents within the school district who have children over age four (4) and enrolled in the statewide preschool program, over age five (5) and enrolled in the District’s kindergarten program, or over age six (6) and under age sixteen (16) by September 15 and in proper physical and mental condition to attend school, will have the children attend the school District at the attendance center designated by the Board. If the student's classroom or attendance center transitions to required continous learning opportunities included in the district's approved Return to Learn Plan, the student's participation is required. The superintendent may include in the district's approved Return to Learn plan an option for parents or guardians who prefer to have students participate in required continuous learning. An enrolled student who does not participate in compulsory remote-learning opportunities offered by the school district during a period of school closure implemented any time during the school year beginning July 1, 2020, and ending June 20, 2021, due to the COVID -19 pandemic shall be considered truant.

Students shall attend school the number of days school is in session in accordance with the school calendar. Students of compulsory attendance age will attend school a minimum of required minutes/days school is in session or in the case of Preschool or kindergarten, students will attend school a minimum of scheduled days in session.

Students over age four (4) on September 15 and enrolled in the statewide preschool program and students over age five (5) on September 15 and enrolled in the District’s kindergarten program, may not attend the minimum days only if the student’s parent notifies the District in writing of the parent’s intent to remove the child from the preschool program and/or from enrollment in the District.

Students of compulsory attendance age, students over age six (6) and under age sixteen (16) on September 15, may not attend the minimum days only if the student falls into one of the following exemptions:

• have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or have

  obtained a high school equivalency diploma;

• is attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;

• is attending an approved or probationally approved private college preparatory school;

• is attending an accredited nonpublic school;

• is receiving competent private instruction; or

• is subject to the Attendance Cooperation Process.

It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian 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 exceptions listed above.

The principal will investigate the cause for a student's truancy. If the principal is unable to secure the truant student's attendance, the principal will refer the matter over to the county attorney.

The school will participate in mediation if requested by the county attorney. The superintendent will 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------