Pledge of Allegiance

The NELSON COUNTY BOARD of EDUCATION, representatives of our citizens
 and entrusted with their children,
 pledges to support the mission of the NELSON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
 by setting visionary direction through effective policy, oversight
 and efficient resource management.

VISION STATEMENT

QUALITY EDUCATION NOW-LEARNING FOR LIFE

RECOMMENDED: THE 2013 GENERAL ASSEMBLY AMENDED KRS 159.010 TO ALLOW DISTRICTS TO SET THE DROPOUT AGE AT 18 EFFECTIVE WITH THE 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR. DISTRICTS THAT CHOOSE THIS OPTION SHALL BE REQUIRED TO CERTIFY WITH THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THAT THEY HAVE OR WILL HAVE PROGRAMS IN PLACE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF POTENTIAL DROPOUTS.

THIS CHANGE IS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER, ONCE 55% OF ALL SCHOOL BOARDS ADOPT SUCH A POLICY, ALL DISTRICTS MUST COMPLY WITHIN FOUR (4) YEARS.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS AT RISK OF DROPPING OUT MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL STAFFING AND RESOURCES.

STUDENTS                                                                                                                                                09.122

Attendance Requirements

Compulsory Attendance

All children in the district who have entered kindergarten or who are between the ages of six (6), as of October 1, and sixteen (16), except those specifically exempted by statute, shall enroll and be in regular attendance in the schools to which they are assigned. Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, students between the ages of six (6) and eighteen (18) shall enroll and be in regular attendance in the schools to which they are assigned and shall be subject to compulsory attendance.¹

Before an unmarried student between the ages of sixteen (16) and eighteen (18) may withdraw from school and terminate education prior to graduation, s/he shall confer with the Principal or designee, and s/he shall secure written permission from her/his parents, guardian, or other person residing in the state and having custody or charge of the student.¹ (See Board Policy 09.111.)

Exemptions from Compulsory Attendance

The Board shall exempt the following from compulsory attendance:

1. A graduate from an accredited or approved 4-year high school,
2. A pupil who is enrolled in a private or parochial school,
3. A pupil who is less than seven (7) years old and in regular attendance in a private kindergarten nursery school,
4. A pupil whose physical or mental condition prevents or renders inadvisable, attendance at school or application to study,
5. A pupil who is enrolled and in regular attendance in private, parochial, or church school programs for exceptional children, or
6. A pupil who is enrolled and in regular attendance in a state supported program for exceptional children.²

Physician’s Statement Required

The Board, before granting an exemption for a physical or mental condition, shall require a signed statement as required by law unless a student’s individual education plan (IEP) specifies that placement of the child with a disability at home or in a hospital is the least restrictive environment for providing services.²

Exceptions to Presence at School

Students must be physically present in school to be counted in attendance, except under the following conditions:

Attendance Requirements

Exceptions to Presence at School (continued)

1. Students shall be counted in attendance when they are receiving home/hospital, institutional,² or court-ordered instruction in another setting.
2. Participation of a pupil in 4-H activities that are regularly scheduled and under the supervision of a county extension agent or the designated 4-H club leader shall be considered school attendance.³
3. Students may participate in cocurricular activities and be counted as being in attendance during the instructional school day, provided the Principal/designee has given prior approval to the scheduling of the activities. Approval shall be granted only when cocurricular activities and trips are instructional in nature, directly related to the instructional program, and scheduled to minimize absences from classroom instruction.⁴
4. Students participating in an off-site virtual high school class or block may be counted in attendance in accordance with requirements set out in Kentucky Administration Regulation.⁴
5. Students having an individual education plan (IEP) that requires less than full-time instructional services shall not be required to be present for a full school day.⁴
6. Students who attend classes for moral instruction at the time specified and for the period fixed shall be credited with the time spent as if they had been in actual attendance in school, and the time shall be calculated as part of the actual school work required by law. Students shall not be penalized for any school work missed during the specified moral instruction time.⁵
7. Students participating as part of a school-sponsored interscholastic athletic team, who compete in a regional or state tournament sanctioned by the Kentucky Board of Education or KHSAA, that occurs on a regularly scheduled school day shall be counted and recorded present at school on the date or dates of the competition, for a maximum of two (2) days per student per school year. Students shall be expected to complete any assignments missed on the date or dates of the competition.⁶

References:

¹KRS 159.010; OAG 85-55

²KRS 159.030

³KRS 159.035

⁴702 KAR 7:125

⁵KRS 158.240

⁶KRS 158.070

 KRS 159.180; KRS 159.990

 OAG 79-68; OAG 79-539; OAG 97-26

Related Policies:

08.131; 08.1312

09.111; 09.123; 09.36

• Compulsory Attendance Policy
• Decision Paper SB 97
• SB 97 Grant Application and Certification

Motion Passed:  To approve the compulsory attendance age. passed with a motion by Mr. Nicky Rapier and a second by Mr. Damon Jackey.

Motion Passed:  Motion to adjourn the Regular Session of the Nelson County Board of Education passed with a motion by Mr. Nicky Rapier and a second by Mr. Damon Jackey.