Madison Metropolitan School District
Board of Education Policies and Procedures

POLICY	ATTENDANCE	4031 Pupils

Absence

1. There are five recognized legal reasons for absence:
   1. If a pupil is ill to the extent that he/she is not in proper physical or mental condition to attend school;
   2. Observance of a religious holiday or participating in not more than 180 minutes of religious instruction per week;
   3. Upon a parent's or guardian's prior written permission, provided a child may not be absent for more than ten (10) days in a school year under this criteria and a student who is excused under this provision shall complete any course work that is missed during the absence; and
   4. If a child is excused in writing by his/her parent/guardian and by the principal of the school that the child attends for the purpose of the student serving as an election official. A principal may not excuse a student under this provision unless the student has at least a 3.0 grade point average or its equivalent.
   5. Good cause reasons as set forth below.
2. The following are good cause reasons for absences from school:
   1. Serious illness or medical condition of a member of the immediate family (when the student is definitely needed at home);
   2. Bereavement due to death in the immediate family;
   3. A student's dental, doctor, chiropractor, psychologist or other medical appointment which cannot be scheduled at any time other than school time.
   4. Inclement weather.

PROCEDURE	ATTENDANCE	4031 Pupils

Absence

The above are absences that the school will approve as excused absences. Any other absence may not be approved as an excused absence by the PRINCIPAL.

Whenever possible, the parent should discuss an excused absence prior to the absence.

The PRINCIPAL is responsible for confirming and determining in some cases whether the reasons for absences are valid. To that end, the PRINCIPAL and/or student services staff may ask for documentation. Except as otherwise provided by law and/or Board Policy, if a parent/legal guardian fails to cooperate with a school's request to provide specific information about an absence, and/or if the PRINCIPAL believes the reason for the absence is not valid, the absence may be recorded as unexcused or changed from excused to unexcused. If a request of a parent is denied, the parent should be advised by the PRINCIPAL of the probable penalty for the absence.

118.15
118.155
7/17/06

Last Updated: Wed Nov 14 08:07:26 2007
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