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remedying a student’s attendance problem, the Superintendent or the
Superintendent’s designee may seek immediate compliance with the
compulsory school attendance laws. The Superintendent or the
Superintendent’s designee shall institute proceedings against any parent who
fails to comply with the requirements of the compulsory attendance laws.
Where the complaint arises out of the parent’s failure to comply with the
requirements of Chapter 22.1-258, the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s
designee shall document the school division’s compliance with this Code
section.
5.
After three (3) unexcused absences from school, the principal, or his/her
designee, will meet with the student and send a letter to the parent or guardian
reminding them of the importance of consistent attendance to school.
6.
After five (5) unexcused absences from school, the principal will convene the
School Based Attendance Committee and will request that the student, along
with their parent(s) or guardian(s) attend the meeting. During this meeting the
reason(s) for the student’s absences will be addressed and action in regards to
the student’s attendance to school will be taken as needed. A record of the
meeting will be maintained. Should the parent or guardian refuse to attend or
be uncooperative, the principal is directed to refer the case to the School Social
Worker for further action.
7.
After seven (7) unexcused absences from school, the principal will refer the
case to the Grayson County Community Based Attendance Committee for a
closed hearing, which the student, parent(s) and/or guardian(s), and the
principal/principal designee will be required to attend. The committee will
ascertain all facts of each case and determine a course of action which is in the
best interest of the student involved and the school system to enforce the
compulsory attendance rules. The committee will consider recommending the
following: (1) filing a complaint with the juvenile and domestic relations court
alleging the pupil is a child in need of supervision as defined in Chapter 16.1-
229 or (2) instituting proceedings against the parent pursuant to Chapter 18.2-
371 or Chapter 22.1-262 or (3) send the case back to the school and request
more intervention at the building level. If the student’s parents have joint
physical custody of the student and the school has notice of the custody
arrangement, then both parents shall be notified at their last known addresses.
ATTENDANCE COMMITTEE
School Based Attendance Committee
Each school shall form a committee to act upon serious or persistent problems and
cases of truancy. A brief written statement of the problem(s) and the efforts that have
been made to affect a solution will be maintained and documented for each convened
meeting.
The membership of the committee will consist of a school administrator, a guidance
counselor, vocational administrator (if appropriate), and a classroom teacher. The
school resource officer will be available to serve on each School-Based Attendance