Doctor’s Notes Won’t Excuse Child Absences, School District Says

A doctor’s note is no longer a valid excuse for children missing school, according to a school district in Tennessee.

“Attendance is a key factor in student achievement, and therefore, students are expected to be present each day school is in session,” the Lawrence County School System said in a 7-page memo shared in late June.

Spokespersons for LCSS did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

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Rebecca Sanchez, a parent to a 10-year-old daughter, told Nashville’s WSMV on Tuesday, July 22, she disagrees with the new policy.

“Between the strep throat and the flu, I can say she missed about 17 days,” Sanchez said of her child’s attendance last school year. 

She continued, “I have never been for or against homeschool, but because of this new policy, it has definitely changed my mind.”

The memo stated that the Director of Schools will be responsible for “ensuring that all school age children attend school,” among other duties. 

“Absences shall be classified as absent. Absences are not excused or unexcused,” the district said. 

For more serious situations, “Special arrangements should be made with the principal or his/her designee regarding an ongoing diagnosed medical issue requiring multiple absences for the student during a specified time or for the duration of the academic year.”

There are however, certain exceptions to the attendance policy, including death in the family, certain religious observances, chronic illness verified by a licensed medical provider practicing in Tennessee, emergencies “over which the student has no control” and more.

Additionally, the truancy guidelines state that students, in some cases, will be allowed to “attend part-time days,” as long as written permission is granted. “Students shall be present at least fifty percent (50%) of the scheduled school day in order to be counted present,” the district said.

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Parent conferences are one of the steps that will be taken before school officials implement more serious measures.

But once a student accumulates eight absences where no attendance plan has been arranged with the principal of the school, they will be met with a referral to juvenile court.

Additional penalties for excessive absences include losing “the privilege of attending school sanctioned events, including field trips, special programs, prom, graduation” and more.

During the district’s school board meeting in June, Director of Schools Michael Adkins shared potential consequences related to absences, reports WSMV.

“You can fail the course. You are going to be petitioned to court. You are not going to participate in graduation, get your driver’s license or permit,” he reportedly said. “We are going to take control of the attendance of our students. You can bring all the doctor’s notes you want, but it is still unexcused.”

“If you have the sniffles, that is fine,” Adkins added. “You are going to have them when you go to work one day. We have all gone to work sick and hurt and beat up.”