THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 14, 1995 TAG: 9509140367
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 94 lines
By a 4-3 vote, the Dare County Board of Education has approved a new attendance policy that will go into effect in 30 days.
Supporters say the plan will reduce the number of unexcused absences. Opponents argue that the plan is unfair, and should not take effect until next year.
Under the new guidelines, illness or injury, death in immediate family, medical or dental appointments, quarantine and religious observances are considered excused absences. Also included are immediate farm or home demands, educational opportunities such as school-sanctioned field trips or athletic events, court or administrative proceedings and suspension or expulsion.
``The only absences that would be unexcused would be skipping school,'' board member Loretta Michael said.
The excused absences included in the policy are established by North Carolina law.
A student who has more than three unexcused absences from a semester-long class, or more than six unexcused absences from a year-long class will not receive credit for the class.
Students can appeal if they have passing grades.
``The intent here is to tighten up on the number of unexcused absences,'' said board member Donna Buxton. ``We felt if it were a family crisis, then it would be an excused absence.''
Under the appeals process, the principal would hear initial arguments. The second round would be heard by the superintendent, with final appeals heard by the full board.
The new policy did not sit well with some board members.
``I think the appeals should be heard by a committee,'' board member Allen Burrus said. ``It looks like we're burdening the principal with another job.
``I'm concerned that we're separating academic problems from behavior problems,'' Burrus added. ``I think they go hand in hand.''
Board member David Daniels expressed concern that the new policy was being considered after the start of a new school year.
``It's like making a law after the cows are out of the barn,'' Daniels said.
Board members Virginia Tillett and Sam Twiford joined Michael and Buxton in support of the measure. Burrus, Daniels and Fletcher Willey voted against the proposal.
In a related matter, the board discussed but took no action on a new grading policy for the system. Under the new guidelines, studentswould be graded strictly on their knowledge of a particular subject. Attendance and behavior would not be considered in determining a final grade.
Twiford said the goal is a uniform grading system at all schools in the district.
``What we're doing is establishing some rules and regulations so that what is done in the 10th grade at one school is followed at all schools,'' Twiford said.``We want to make sure that grades reflect knowledge and not absences or behavior.''
Willey used what he called a ``real world example,'' to express opposition to the proposed plan.
``I don't know any employer that would say, `You can be surly to customers, disrupt other people from doing their jobs, but as long as the work gets done, you get a paycheck at the end of the week.' ''
A vote could come on the new policy as early as next month.
In other action:
Holleman reported that 10 days into the new school year, an all-time high of 4,184 students are enrolled in the system. State officials use the 10-day total to determine the number of teacher units and state funding for North Carolina's school districts.
The board tabled action on a contract with Moore's Driving School, pending the addition of specific language to protect the system's interest.
The board approved a contract with the North Carolina Department of Transportation that would pay up to $8,000 to NCDOT for work done clearing land for the new soccer and softball fields at Manteo High School.
Holleman said the actual cost of the services would be about $1,400.
The item passed 6-1. Willey voted against the proposal.
``I can't vote for a contract that doesn't include a specific dollar amount,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: EXCUSED ABSENCES
The following are considered excused absences under the new
attendance policy adopted by the Dare County Board of Education:
Illness or injury
Death in immediate family
Medical or dental appointments
Quarantine
Religious observances
Immediate demand of the farm or home
Educational opportunities with prior approval of school
officials
Court or administrative proceedings
Suspension or expulsion
by CNB