KCSD Admin Proposes Limiting Unexcused School Absences
By Scott Johnson
MILL HALL – “We have high expectations and high support.”
That was Keystone Central School District Superintendent Jacquelyn Martin after Thursday night’s school board work session where new Director of Pupil Services Christina Manning described small proposed changes to the handbook for students entering all classes under the district this year – elementary, secondary and virtual academy.
The two most significant changes are with unexcused absences and the handbook not being printed for students and their families.
Regarding attendance, Manning said the administration proposes revoking student parking privileges for those who have at least six illegal, unexcused absences. After questioning from the board, both Manning and Martin said that proposed change will be printed and must be signed by the students.
Regarding absences by all students, the administration is proposing limiting all to 18 days of absences – not including doctors excuses or educational field trips. Those above that number, Manning said, would be denied going on class field trips and, possibly walking in graduation, if approved by the board.
Martin noted the district would also notify parents and/or guardians when a student hits 14 days of illegal absences. She added any days above 18 is frowned upon by the state Department of Education and results in reduced state and federal funding for each student.
Further, Martin said, the administration is proposing to email, text and call parents and/or guardians of students who are considered absent at 9 a.m. each school day. “It’s about making a lot of steps on our part and the community’s part for our students,” she said. “This is not about punishing students, it is partnering with parents,” Martin said. “We are trying to partner with parents and make things easier.
“Learning is our fundamental purpose. If they are not here, they are not learning,” she continued.
Regarding not printing a student handbook for all students, Martin said the handbook would be available for all on the district’s Web site along with any requested emails. Further, she said, they would be available at the district office for a printed copy if requested.
“Yes, this is the first year we are proposing to do this and it would save the district $5,000 in printing costs,” Martin told the media after the work session.
One other area involved small changes to the students’ dress code. Martin explained after the meeting that the changes are mostly to clean-up any ambiguous statements.
“I think this dress code is more lenient than other districts in the state,” she said after the work session, adding a student may report anything they may find offensive or disrespectful to any district employee.
“School is there to teach you about life and work,” said board member Polly Donahey during the work session. However, Human Resource Director Mark Condo responded there are “a whole lot of legal issues with enforcing a more specific dress code.”
“Just because a person comes into school does not mean they lose their First Amendment rights,” he said.
Seven of the nine members were present. Members Charlie Rosamilia and Wayne Koch were absent.
In one other note, Martin said there are proposed changes in the business office, to give new job descriptions and more efficiency. No new hires or dismissals were included, she said
The board’s next voting meeting is Thursday, Aug. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Central Mountain High School Auditorium.
