Parents/legal guardians within the school district who have children over age 6 and under age 16 by September 15th, in proper physical and mental condition to attend school, will have the children attend the school district at the attendance center designated by the school board.
A child who has reached the age of 5 by September 15th, and who is enrolled in the school district, shall be considered to be of compulsory attendance age unless the parent/legal guardian of the child notifies the school district in writing of their intent to remove the child from enrollment in the school district.
A child who has reached the age of 4 by September 15th, and who is enrolled in the statewide preschool program under Chapter 256C, shall be considered to be of compulsory attendance age unless the parent/legal guardian of the child submits written notice to the school district implementing the program of their intent to remove the child from enrollment in the preschool program.
Students will attend school the number of days or hours school is in session in accordance with the school calendar. Students of compulsory attendance age will attend school a minimum of 90% of the approved calendar days or hours. Students not attending the minimum days or hours must be exempted by this policy as listed below or referred to the county attorney.
Exceptions to this policy include children who:
- Have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or have obtained a high school equivalency diploma;
- Are attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;
- Are attending an approved or probationally approved private college preparatory school;
- Are attending an accredited nonpublic school;
- Are receiving independent privation instruction; or
- Are receiving competent private instruction.
It is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian of a child to provide evidence of the child’s mental and physical inability to attend school or of the child’s qualifications for one of the exceptions listed above.
The principal [or designee] will investigate the cause for a student’s truancy. If the principal [or designee] is unable to secure the truant student’s attendance, the principal [or designee] should discuss next steps with the Associate Superintendent [or designee]. If after this referral the student is still truant and all steps in Policy 501.12 Student Absences Truancy/Unexcused have been met, the matter will be referred to the county attorney.
The school will participate in mediation if requested by the county attorney. The Associate Superintendent [or designee] will represent the school district in mediation. The school district will monitor the student’s compliance with the mediation agreement and will report violations of the mediation agreement to the county attorney.
Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 4/12; 7/13; 10/14; 1/15; 9/20
Revised: 5/11; 10/17; 2/21; 10/23
Related Policy: 500.1; 601.2
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 259A; 279.10-11; Ch 299; 299A
IASB Reference: 501.03