From FCSB Board Policy

Contents 1 Policy 533 1.1 STATUTORY AUTHORITY 1.2 LAWS IMPLEMENTED 1.3 HISTORY

[edit] Policy 533

Under Florida’s compulsory school attendance law, each parent of a child within the compulsory attendance age is responsible for such child’s school attendance. Attendance means being present at school or away from school on a school day and engaged in an educational activity which constitutes a part of the school-approved instructional program for the student. The parent has the responsibility to report any non-attendance and explain the cause of any school absence of a child. The Superintendent has the responsibility to enforce the compulsory school attendance laws and has an obligation to notify the parent when no valid reason is found for a child’s non-enrollment over a period of time.

The sole purpose of this policy is to set forth procedures as such are required under Florida’s compulsory school attendance laws and the enforcement thereof.

Attendance regulations for the School District of Flagler County are governed by Chapter 1003 and Chapter 39, Florida Statutes.

1. Excused Absence
   1. Illness or other legitimate causes will be excused with the permission of the parent/guardian and the school principal, up to 15 days within the school year. After 15 days of absence, excused or un-excused, the school may request a doctor’s verification for subsequent absences due to illness. In addition, the school shall also have the discretion to require that subsequent absences or tardiness be accompanied by a statement explaining the reason for such absences or tardiness. The legitimacy of a cause for being absent shall be determined by the building principal or designee based on the following criteria: (a) whether the reason for absence is equivalent in importance to the student’s need to be in attendance; (b) the needs of the student and the student’s family; (c) the number of absences accumulated by the student; and (d) other justifiable rationale.
   2. Medical and dental appointments should be made after school hours. When this is not possible, students may be excused to fill these appointments. An excuse from the doctor or parent/guardian is required.
   3. Religious holidays or religious instruction: Students may be excused from school for observance of established religious holidays or for religious instruction.
   4. The Superintendent may require a student who is continuously sick and repeatedly absent from school to produce documentation that he or she is under supervision of a physician to receive an excuse from attendance.
2. Un-Excused Absence
   1. The fact that the student’s parent/guardian knew of the absence does not, in and of itself, require that the absence be recorded as an excused absence by school personnel.
   2. Absence without notification of school officials by the parent/guardian is considered an un-excused absence.
   3. A student must be present a minimum of three (3) hours per day to be counted present.

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[edit] STATUTORY AUTHORITY

• 985.03
• 1000.21
• 1001.41
• 1001.42
• F.S.

[edit] LAWS IMPLEMENTED

• 1003.01
• 1003.21
• F.S.

[edit] HISTORY

• ADOPTED:September 15, 1998
• REVISION DATE(S)
  • January 20, 2004
  • May 15, 2007
• FORMERLY: Policy 528