New attendance rules tighten tardies and early pickups

What happened

On July 16, 2026 the committee voted 4-0 to adopt a rewritten attendance and academic achievement policy, JE. It sets out early identification of chronic absenteeism, tiered interventions, family engagement, and definitions of excused and unexcused absences, tardiness and early dismissals with limits and consequences; the superintendent said the biggest changes were in the unexcused absence, tardiness, dismissal and truancy section. Students identified as significantly off track receive targeted support, and grade retention is considered only after interventions. The district reported chronic absenteeism of about 10 percent, or 234 students, in November 2025.

Why it matters to families

Being late or picked up early now counts in a way it did not before, and the policy sets out what happens when absences add up.

The evidence

The July 16, 2026 approved minutes record the second read and 4-0 vote adopting policy JE; the June 18, 2026 minutes summarise its contents, and the November 20, 2025 minutes record the 10 percent chronic absenteeism rate equal to 234 students districtwide.

The source