Adoption Date: 06/22/2021

History: 3/22/22 (reviewed), 2/14/23 (reviewed), 2/13/24 (reviewed), 9/24/24 (updated), 2/11/25 (updated), 3/11/25 (reviewed)

The district believes that traditional, in-person school attendance leads to the greatest learning opportunities for students. Students who are present in school and engaged active learners take greater ownership over their educational outcomes. For this reason, it is the priority of the district to foster regular student attendance throughout the school year and reduce barriers to regular attendance for students in the district.

Chronic absenteeism/absences means any absence from school for more than ten percent of the hours in the grading period established by the district.

Truant/truancy means a child of compulsory attendance age who is absent from school for any reason for at least twenty percent of the hours in the grading period.

Chronic absenteeism and truancy do not apply to the following students who:

• have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or has obtained a high school equivalency diploma; 
• are excused for sufficient reason by any court of record or judge;
• are attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;
• are attending a private college preparatory school accredited or probationally accredited;
• are excused under Iowa Code §299.22;
• are exempt under Iowa Code §299.24:
• are unable to attend school due to legitimate medical reasons;
• has an individualized education program that affects the child’s attendance; and
• has a plan under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act , 29 U.S.C. §794, that affects the child’s attendance.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the designated school officials, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy. The administrative regulations will indicate the disciplinary action to be taken for truancy.

Policy References:

Legal Reference:

34 C.F.R. sec. 300
28 C.F.R. Pt. 35
Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(4).