BOARD POLICY 431

431         -     Compulsory School Attendance

                     Any person having under control a child who is between the ages of six (6) and eighteen (18) years shall cause the child to attend school regularly during the full period and hours that the public or private school in which the child should be enrolled is in session until the end of the school term, quarter or semester of the school year in which the child becomes eighteen (18) years of age. Modifications of this policy as cited in Wisconsin 118.15 require the prior approval of the Board of Education.

                     Acceptable excused absences from school are personal illnesses, required court appearances, severe illnesses or deaths in the family, religious observances, short-term family emergencies, and medical appointments. Parents in accordance with state law may excuse their student for not more than 10 days in a school year. Such excused requests must be provided in writing before the absence. Other excused absences will be those approved by the principal or designee. Absenteeism from school for reasons other than those cited above will be regarded and documented as unexcused absences from school. Students are responsible for completing course work missed due to any absence.

                     The District defines a habitual truant as a pupil who is absent from school without an acceptable excuse for (1) part or all of 5 or more school days during a semester. Once a student has been identified as a habitual truant, the District will implement the District's habitual truancy procedures.

                     Legal Ref.:     Sections 118.15, 118.153, 118.16, and 118.162, Wisconsin Statutes

                     Cross Ref.:    Administrative Rule 431 - Attendance Procedures

                                          Truancy Plan

                                          Student Handbooks

                     Approved:      June 15, 2000