This story has been updated to correct an inaccuracy and to add additional information.
Starting next school year, Appleton elementary schools will consider students absent if they arrive after 8:45 a.m.
During the Appleton School Board’s April 27 meeting, Superintendent Greg Hartjes said changes to the district’s attendance policy were needed to ensure “policy and practice are aligned” and update the language used.
The School Board voted, 5-2, to approve the changes to the attendance policy. Kay Eggert, Jason Kolpack, Ed Ruffolo, Kristine Sauter and Oliver Zornow voted in favor, while Pheng Thao and Nick Ross voted against.
Part of the discussion about the attendance policy included referrals for truancy for students ages 14-17. Ross and Thao said they want to include more details on the procedures that lead up to the district referring a student to the city of Appleton for enforcement of the new truancy ordinance. That part of the policy, which currently lists all of the conditions that must be met before a referral, wasn’t changed as a result of the April 27 meeting.
Before the policy update passed, individual school leadership determined when students were tardy and when they were absent, though in practice there was a 10 a.m. cutoff. Appleton K-5 neighborhood schools start class at 8:27 a.m.; some charter schools start earlier.
Middle and high school students would be marked late if they arrive up to 10 minutes late to class, and out of compliance for that class if they arrive later or leave class early without an excuse.
The board approved other changes to the attendance policy, too. If a student is open-enrolled or attends a school other than their local neighborhood school, and they are habitually truant, they may be returned to their local schools and districts at the end of the semester if their attendance doesn’t improve. Head lice and impetigo, by themselves, would not automatically exclude students from school. And the policy now includes a section on Wisconsin’s state law against contributing to truancy; it reminds families that anyone 17 years of age or older who knowingly encourages or contributes to truancy can be issued a citation.
Rebecca Loroff is an education reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. She welcomes story tips and feedback. Contact her at rloroff@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: New Appleton school policy changes when K-5 students counted absent
Reporting by Rebecca Loroff, Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
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