HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-29-2003-1ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 29, 2003
Action Agenda
Item No. 1
SUBJECT: County/OCS/CHCCS Discussion/Policy Issues
DEPARTMENT: County Manager
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
As listed in "Background"
INFORMATION CONTACT:
John Link or Rod Visser, 245-2300;
Donna Dean, 245-2151
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough
Chapel Hill
Durham
Mebane
732-8181
968-4501
688-7331
336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To discuss various issues with policy and/or financial implications that are of
current interest to the Orange County Commissioners, Orange County Board of Education,
and/or Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education.
BACKGROUND:
a. Analysis of Impacts of Potential School Merger -Report
In accordance with a Board of Commissioner goal for calendar year 2003, County staff
prepared a report with analysis of potential financial, organizational, and legal implications that
might arise from the possible merger of the County's two school systems. County staff will
provide a brief synopsis of the major findings, as first presented at the September 15 work
session of the Orange County Commissioners. The entire staff report is voluminous, and
therefore is not provided in hard copy as an attachment to this abstract. However, the report
in its entirety may be reviewed online at the Orange County website (www.co.orange.nc.us).
Public hearings on the topic of potential school merger have been established by the BOCC
for October 16 and 23, 2003.
No Attachments
b. New School Facility Development
• OCS Middle School #3
The Orange County Board of Education indicated that it would like discussion regarding the
following items as a part of the joint meeting discussion:
1. Start-up costs for middle school # 3 and assistance OCS could get from the BOCC,
considering OCS has no special tax to take care of additional expenses associated with
new construction. Would OCS qualify for additional funding associated with Smart
Growth?
2. Middle school site property purchase and end use of acreage not needed for new
construction by OCS. Would cost be deducted from OCS bond allocation for the
additional property requested by BOCC if BOCC requested the purchase of the
additional property?
3. Consider the possibility of an expedited process for the zoning necessary for the
proposed middle school # 3 property.
• CHCCS High School #3
The boards may wish to discuss the status of land acquisition, programming, and design for
the planned third high school in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro system.
No Attachments
c. Smart Growth Policies
During Summer 2003, the Board of Commissioners and Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of
Education approved an interlocal agreement between the County and CHCCS that
established the anticipated budget and other considerations related to the project to design
and build a third high school in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro system. The BOCC determined that
they would provide $27.8 million in capital funding for this project. The BOCC also indicated
that they would provide an additional $2.2 million for the project if CHCCS provided the BOCC
with a satisfactory proposal `for a design of CHCCS high school #3 that promotes smart-
growth, which design addresses `reduced parking, ~reducedJ land disturbance, and other
deleterious aspects of current plans' ':
An ad hoc group (comprised of County/Schools/Town/DOT elected officials and staff, smart
growth experts, and interested citizens) has met on several occasions during the past month
to discuss specific smart growth design criteria that could be applicable to new school
construction in general, and specifically, the CHCCS third high school project. County
Commissioners and school board members involved in this effort may wish to provide a brief
update on progress to date.
No Attachments
d. School Policies on Suspensions and Truancy
At the September 2, 2003 BOCC meeting, Commissioner Carey (in light of his role as co-chair
of the Orange-Chatham Justice Partnership) expressed interest in the relationship between
the schools and the court system, specifically as it relates to juvenile suspensions and the
subsequent involvement with the courts. It was requested that staff provide the truancy and
suspension policies of the two school districts. This information would serve as a basis for
discussion in order to clarify the process and promote a more effective system of
communication between the involved parties. Attachments include North Carolina law
governing compulsory school attendance, the respective policies of the two school systems,
and suspension data for FY 2002-2003 for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange
County Schools, respectively.
Attachment 1 d -1 NCGS Excerpt (Chapter 115C, Article 26)
Attachment 1d-2 CHCCS Attendance Policy
Attachment 1 d-3 OCS Attendance Policy
Attachment 1 d-4 CHCCS Suspension Statistics
Attachment 1 d-5 OCS Suspension Statistics
NCGA General Statutes • GS § L 15C-378. Children required to attend.
Article 26.
Attendance.
Part 1. Compulsory Attendance.
§ 115C-378. Children required to attend.
Every parent, guardian or other person in this State
having charge or control of a child between the ages of seven
and 16 years shall cause such child to attend school
continuously for a period equal to the time which the public
school to which the child is assigned shall be in session. Every
parent, guardian, or other person in this State having charge or
control of a child under age seven who is enrolled in a public
school in grades kindergarten through two shall also cause such
child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the
time which the public school to which the child is assigned
shall be in session unless the child has withdrawn from school.
No person shall encourage, entice or counsel any such child to
be unlawfully absent from school. The parent, guardian, or
custodian of a child shall notify the school of the reason for
each known absence of the child, in accordance with local school
policy.
The principal, superintendent, or teacher who is in charge of
such school shall have the right to excuse a child temporarily
from attendance on account of sickness or other unavoidable
cause which does not constitute unlawful absence as defined by
the State Board of Education. The term "school" as used herein
is defined to embrace all public schools and such nonpublic
schools as have teachers and curricula that are approved by the
State Board of Education.
AlI nonpublic schools receiving and instructing children of a
compulsory school age shall be required to keep such records of
attendance and render such reports of the attendance of such
children and maintain such minimum curriculum standards as are
required of public schools; and attendance upon such schools, if
the school refuses or neglects to keep such records or to render
such reports, shall not be accepted in lieu of attendance upon
the public school of the district to which the child shall be
assigned: Provided, that instruction in a nonpublic school shall
not be regarded as meeting the requirements of the law unless
the courses of instruction run concurrently with the term of the
public school in the district and extend for at least as long a
term.
The principal or his designee shall notify the parent,
guardian, or custodian of his child's excessive absences after
the child has accumulated three unexcused absences in a school
year. After not more than six unexcused absences, the principal
shall notify the parent, guardian, or custodian by mail that he
may be in violation of the Compulsory Attendance Law and may be
prosecuted if the absences cannot be justified under the
established attendance policies of the State and local boards of
education. Once the parents are notified, the school attendance
counselor shall work with the child and his family to analyze
the causes of the absences and determine steps, including
adjustment of the school program or obtaining supplemental
services, to eliminate the problem. The attendance counselor may
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NCGA General Statutes • GS § 115C-378. Children required to attend.
request that a law-enforcement officer accompany him if he
believes that a home visit is necessary.
After 10 accumulated unexcused absences in a school year the
principal shall review any report or investigation prepared
under G.S. 115C-381 and shall confer with the student and his
parent, guardian, or custodian if possible to determine whether
the parent, guardian, or custodian has received notification
pursuant to this section and made a good faith effort to comply
with the law. If the principal determines that parent, guardian,
or custodian has not, he shall notify the district. attorney. If
he determines that parent, guardian, or custodian has, he may
file a complaint with the juvenile court counselor pursuant to
Chapter 7B of the General Statutes that the child is habitually
absent from school without a valid excuse. Evidence that shows
that the parents, guardian, or custodian were notified and that
the child has accumulated 10 absences which cannot be justified
under the established attendance policies of the local board
shall establish a prima facie case that the child's parent,
guardian, or custodian is responsible for the absences. (1955,
c. 1372, art. 20, s. 1; 1956, Ex. Sess., c. 5; 1963, c. 1223, s.
6; 1969, c. 339; c. 799, s. 1; 1971, c. 846; 1975, c. 678, s. 2;
c. 731, s. 3; 1979, c. 847; 1981, c. 423, s. l; 1985, c. 297;
1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 769, s. 2; 1998-202, s. 13(aa);
2001-990, s. 2.38.)
J
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NCGA General Statutes - GS § 115C-379. Method of enforcement.
§ 115C-379. Method of enforcement.
It shall be the duty of the State Board of Education to
formulate such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the
proper enforcement of the provisions of this Part. The Board
shall prescribe what shall constitute unlawful absence, what
causes may constitute legitimate excuses for temporary
nonattendance due to physical or mental inability to attend, and
under what circumstances teachers, principals, or
superintendents may excuse pupils for nonattendance due to
immediate demands of the farm or the home in certain seasons of
the year in the several sections of the State. It shall be the
duty of all school officials to carry out such instructions from
the State Board of Education, and any school official failing to
carry out such instructions shall be guilty of a Class 3
misdemeanor: Provided, that the compulsory attendance law herein
prescribed shall not be in force in any local school
administrative unit that has a higher compulsory attendance
feature than that provided herein. {1955, c. 1372, art. 20, s.
2; 1963, c. 1223, s. 7; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s.
887; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
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NCGA General Statutes - GS § 115C-380. Penalty for violation.
§ 115C-380. Penalty for violation.
Any parent, guardian or other person violating the
provisions of this Part shall be guilty of a Class 3
misdemeanor. (1955, c. 1372, art. 20, s. 4; 1969, c. 799, s. 2;
1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 888; 1994, Ex. Sess., c.
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NCGA General Statutes - GS § L ISC-381. School social workers; reporu; prosecutions.
§ 11SC-3B1. School social workers; reports; prosecutions.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall prepare
such rules and procedures and furnish such blanks for teachers
and other school officials as may be necessary for reporting
such case of unlawful absence or lack of attendance to the
school social worker of the respective local school
administrative units. Such rules shall provide, among other
things, for a notification in writing, to the person responsible
for the nonattendance of any child, that the case is to be
reported to the school social worker of the local school
administrative unit unless the law is complied with immediately.
Upon recommendation of the superintendent, local boards of
education may employ school social workers and such school
social workers shall have authority to report and verify on oath
the necessary criminal warrants or other documents for the
prosecutions of violations of this Part: Provided, that local
school administrative units shall provide in their local
operating budgets for travel and necessary office expense for
such school social workers as may be employed through State or
local funds, or both. The State Soard of Education shall
determine the process for allocating school social workers to
the various local school administrative units, establish their
qualifications, and develop a salary schedule which shall be
applicable to such personnel: Provided, that persons now
employed by local boards of education as attendance counselors
shall be deemed qualified as school social workers under the
terms of this Part subject to the approval of said local boards
of education.
The school social worker shall investigate all violators of
the provisions of this Part. The reports of unlawful absence
required to be made by teachers and principals to the school
social worker shall, in his hands, in case of any prosecution,
constitute prima facie evidence of the violation of this Part
and the burden of proof shall be upon the defendant to show the
lawful attendance of the child or children upon an authorized
school. (1955, c. 1372, art. 20, ss. 3, 5; 1957, c. 600; 1961,
c. 186; 1963, c. 1223, ss. 8, 9; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1985, c.
686, s. 3.)
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Document
Policy Code: 4400 Attendance
Punctual attendance in school and participation in class are integral parts of academic achievement and the
teaching-learning process. Regular attendance develops patterns of behavior essential to professional and
personal success in life. Likewise, students who are chronically late similarly deprive themselves of
educational opportunities. Regular attendance by every student is mandatory: the State of North Carolina
requires that every child in the State between the ages of seven (or younger if enrolled) and 16 years
attend school. Parents or legal guardians have the responsibility for ensuring that students punctually
attend and remain at school daily. Parents or legal guardians who have chronically tardy or absent
students may be prosecuted by the District Attorney's office for violating the State's Compulsory
Attendance Law.
A. Attendance Records
School officials will keep an accurate record of attendance, including accurate attendance records in
each class. Attendance records will be used to enforce the Compulsory Attendance Law of North
Carolina.
B. Excused Absences
When a student must miss school, a written excuse signed by a parent or guardian must be presented to
the teacher or family specialist on the day returning after an absence. The principal may confirm
absences in any manner acceptable to the principal. This requirement may be waived if the principal
finds that a compelling and significant reason makes it impossible for a student to meet the requirement.
In addition, requirements for eighteen year old and emancipated students will be in accordance with
policy 4020.
An absence maybe excused for the following reasons:
1. personal illness or injury which makes the student physically unable to attend school;
2. isolation ordered by the State Board of Health;
3. death in the immediate family;
4. medical or dental appointments which cannot be scheduled outside of school time;
5. participation under subpoena as a witness in a court proceeding;
6. observance of an event required or suggested by the religion of the student or the student's
parent(s) with prior approval by the principal; or
7. participation in a valid educational opportunity, such as travel, with prior approval by the
principal.
Extended illnesses generally require a statement from a physician. In addition, the principal may require
reasonable documentation of the reason(s) provided for an excused absence.
In the case of excused absences and out of school suspensions, the student will be permitted to make
up his or her work. The teacher will determine when work is to be made up. The student is
responsible for finding out what assignments are due and completing them within the specified time
period.
C. School-Related Activities
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All classroom activities are important and difficult, if not impossible, to replace if missed. It is the
intention of the board of education that classes missed be kept to an absolute minimum through close
scrutiny and a monitoring system on the part of the principal. The following school-related activities will
not be counted as absences from either class or school:
• field trips sponsored by the school;
• school-initiated and scheduled activities;
• athletic events early dismissal from school; or
• in-school suspension.
Assignments missed for these reasons will be completed by students. The teacher will determine when
work is to be made up. The student is responsible for fording out what assignments are due and
completing them within the specified time period.
D. Excessive Absences
Class attendance and participation are critical elements of the educational process and may betaken
into account in assessing academic achievement.
Pursuant to policy 4410, Enforcement of Compulsory Attendance Laws, the principal will notify
parents and take all other steps required by G.S. 115C-378 for excessive absences.
Effect of Excessive Absences on Grades: High School Students
The high schools have formulated their own class attendance policies dealing with attendance and
credit for individual courses. Such school policies shall not be less restrictive than the policy set
forth herein for elementary and middle school students. All decisions regarding whether a student's
grades should be reduced because of absences will be made in accordance with such policies.
Effect of Excessive Absences on Grades: Elementary and Middle School Students
All students are required to attend at least 83% of total school days held in the academic year. If a
student is absent from school for more than 17% of the school days in a single academic year or
semester, the principal or a committee established by the principal will consider whether the
student's grades should be reduced or whether promotion or graduation will be denied because of
the absences.
The principal or committee will review other measures of academic achievement, the circumstances
of the absences, the number of absences, and the extent to which the student completed missed
work. A committee may recommend to the principal and the principal may make any of the
following determinations:
• the student will not receive a passing grade for the semester;
• the student will not be promoted;
• the student's grade will be reduced;
• the student will receive the grade otherwise earned; or
• the student will be given additional time to complete the missed work before making a
determination of the appropriate grade.
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In the case of excused absences, any student will be given the opportunity to make up the school
work for any missed school days. In the case of unexcused absences, a student may, at the
discretion of the teacher in consultation with the principal of each course taken, make up the school
work for any missed school days. Any school days for which missed work is satisfactorily
completed will be counted toward deterrnining whether a student has attended the minimum
requirement of 83% of the total school days held in the academic year. The nature and manner in
which the missed school work for any absences can be made up will be determined by the teacher
of the course for which the student is enrolled. The teacher will not be unreasonable in the
determination of the nature and manner in which such work may be made up.
Legal References: G.S. 1 I SC-47, -288(a), -378 to -383
Cross References: Eighteen-Year OId and Emancipated Students (policy 4020 , Enforcement of
Compulsory Attendance Law (policy 4410
Document References: High School Policies Regarding Credit for Individual Courses
Adopted: November 19, 1998
Revised: February 7, 2002
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
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Policy Code: 4410 Enforcement of Compulsory Attendance Law
Punctual attendance in school and participation in class are integral parts of academic achievement and the
teaching-learning process. To ensure that students receive the benefits of regular school attendance, the board
will comply with the state's Compulsory Attendance Law, G.S. 11 SC-378. Three (3} Unexcused tardies of
fifteen (15) minutes or more shall be treated as one (1) Unexcused absence under the State's Compulsory
Attendance Law.
A. Three (3) Unexcused Absences
After any student has accumulated three (3) Unexcused absences in a school year, the principal or his/her
designee will notify the parent, guardian or custodian of the student that the student has been absent an
excessive number of times.
B. Six (6) Unexcused Absences
After not more than six (6) Unexcused absences, the principal will notify the parent, guardian or custodian by
mail that he/she maybe in violation of the Compulsory Attendance Law and maybe prosecuted if the absences
cannot be justified under the established attendance policies of the state and district boards of education. Once
the parents are notified, the principal will appoint a Family Specialist who will work with the child andhis/her
family to analyze the causes of the absences and determine steps to eliminate the problem, including adjustment
of the school program or obtaining supplemental services. The family specialist may requestthat alaw-
enforcement officer accompany him/her if he/she believes that a home visit is necessary.
C. Ten (10) Unexcused Absences
After ten (10} accumulated Unexcused absences in a school year, the principal will review any report or
investigation on the student's absence prepared by the family specialist pursuant to G.S. 115C-381. The
principal will also confer with the student and his/her parent, guardian or custodian to deternne whether the
parent, guardian or custodian has received notification pursuant to this policy and made a good faith effort to
comply with the law. If the principal determines that the parent, guardian or custodian has not made a good
faith effort to comply with the law, the principal will notify the district attorney. ff the principal detemunes that
the pazent, guardian or custodian has made a good faith effort to comply with the law, the principal may file a
juvenile complaint under G.S. 7A-561 alleging that the child is habitually absent from school without a valid
excuse. Evidence that shows that the parent, guardian or custodian was notified and that the child has
accumulated 10 absences that cannot be justified under the established attendance policies of this district will
constitute a prima facie case that the child's parent, guardian or custodian is responsible for the absences.
Legal References: G.S. l ISC-47, -378 to -383
Cross References: Attendance (policy 4400
Document References: High School Attendance Policies Regarding Credit for Individual Courses
Adopted: November 19, 1998
Revised: February 7, 2002
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
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``Descriptor Term: Descriptor Code: Issued Date:
ATTENDANCE
Rescinds: Re-Issued:
t~/~~
The Orange County Board of Education recognizes that regular attendance and participation in
class are integral parts of the teaching-learning process that help form habits essential for
success in both school and the workforce. Students are therefore expected to attend every
school day unless there is a compelling reason for absence, and should make up missed work.
While primary and legal responsibility for student attendance lies with parents and students,
responsibility for the success of students is shared by the School Board and all employees of the
Orange County School System. Therefore, school system personnel, activities, and policies
should maintain a climate which both promotes attendance and discourages absences, class
cutting, and tardiness. Students and parents, in turn, should strive to attain excellent attendance.
Local policy and regulations which address the unique needs of our school system must build
upon the state's attendance laws and procedures. Adherence to and enforcement of a uniform
set of state and local requirements is expected in all schools. Students, parents, and school
system employees will be held accountable for attendance.
Schools should make every reasonable effort to support students who miss school due to illness
or other compelling reasons. Realizing that family situations and mental and physical health
impact attendance, schools should develop intervention strategies when needed to address
student's academic and adjustment needs. Excessive absences, however, will result in negative
consequences.
Specific regulations for the school system are as follows:
DEFINITIONS OF TARDINESS
Late arrival for a school day (elementary and middle school) or class period (high school) is
considered tardiness. For purposes of this policy K-8 students who are present less than one-half
of a school day are considered absent. High school students are considered absent for a class
when they are present less than one-half of the class period.
PROMOTION OF GOOD ATTENDANCE
Schools are encouraged to use multiple methods to promote good attendance. These methods
should reward good attendance (i.e., a rate of 95% or higher), clearly convey the message that
attendance is very important, and continually improve the school climate.
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND RULES
School system personnel will comply with state laws, regulations, and policies regarding
attendance, notification, and use of law enforcement officials. (See NOTE, page 3) Adherence to
additional local policies, regulations, and procedures is also required.
MAKEUP OF MISSED WORK
Makeup work shall be requested and completed by the student, as assigned by the teacher. The
work should be returned to the teacher within five school days. Makeup work may be specific
material missed by the student or may be reinforcement or enrichment in nature. Teachers,
principals, and parents should make every effort to support students as they make up the work
missed during absences. It is also incumbent upon each teacher to maintain high standards
regarding the quality and quantity of makeup work.
Attendance p. 1 of 3
Descriptor Term: Descriptor Code: Issued Date:
ATTENDANCE
Rescinds: Re-Issued:
snioo
The Orange County Board of Education recognizes that regular attendance and participation in
class are integral parts of the teaching-learning process that help form habits essential for
success in both school and the workforce. Students are therefore expected to attend every
school day unless there is a compelling reason for absence, and should make up missed work.
While primary and legal responsibility for student attendance lies with parents and students,
responsibility for the success of students is shared by the School Board and all employees of the
Orange County School System. Therefore, school system personnel, activities, and policies
should maintain a climate which both promotes attendance and discourages absences, class
cutting, and tardiness. Students and parents, in turn, should strive to attain excellent attendance.
Local policy and regulations which address the unique needs of our school system must build
upon the state's attendance laws and procedures. Adherence to and enforcement of a uniform
set of state and local requirements is expected in all schools. Students, parents, and school
system employees will be held accountable for attendance.
Schools should make every reasonable effort to support students who miss school due to illness
or other compelling reasons. Realizing that family situations and mental and physical health
impact attendance, schools should develop intervention strategies when needed to address
student's academic and adjustment needs. Excessive absences, however, will result in negative
consequences.
Specific regulations for the school system are as follows:
DEFINITIONS OF TARDINESS
Late arrival for a school day (elementary and middle school) or class period (high school) is
considered tardiness. For purposes of this policy K-8 students who are present less than one-half
of a school day are considered absent. High school students are considered absent for a class
when they are present less than one-half of the class period.
PROMOTION OF GOOD ATTENDANCE
Schools are encouraged to use multiple methods to promote good attendance. These methods
should reward good attendance (i.e., a rate of 95% or higher), clearly convey the message that
attendance is very important, and continually improve the school climate.
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND RULES
School system personnel will comply with state laws, regulations, and policies regarding
attendance, notification, and use of law enforcement officials. (See NOTE, page 3) Adherence to
additional local policies, regulations, and procedures is also required.
MAKEUP OF MISSED WORK
Makeup work shall be requested and completed by the student, as assigned by the teacher. The
.work should be returned to the teacher within five school days. Makeup work may be specific
material missed by the student or may be reinforcement or enrichment in nature. Teachers,
principals, and parents should make every effort to support students as they make up the work
missed during absences. It is also incumbent upon each teacher to maintain high standards
regarding the quality and quantity of makeup work.
Attendance p. 1 of 3
INTERVENTIONS
When a student exceeds ten cumulative or five consecutive days of tardiness and/or absence in a
school year, the school staff will implement interventions designed to help the student meet
academic and attendance standards. These interventions might involve referral to a member of
the student services staff and/or the school's student assistance program team. Students'
parents or guardians should be involved in this design process.
CONSEQUENCES FOR EXCESSIVE ABSENCES
Excessive absenteeism is likely to result in inadequate academic performance, which could in turn
affect promotion to the next grade level and/or course credit. Specific additional consequences
are outlined below.
1. Elementary (K-5)
After 16 absences or incidents of tardiness, a parent conference will be held to determine
strategies for helping the student meet academic and attendance standards. This
conference could be part of ongoing parent contacts resulting from interventions already in
place.
2. Middle School (6-13)
After a student accumulates more than 16 absences he/she will receive credit for neither
incomplete nor new makeup work. The student will retain credit for makeup work
completed before this threshold was reached.
3. High School (9-12)
A student with more than 16 absences in a yearlong course, or an equivalent
number for shorter terms, shall lose credit for that course.
Parents and students must be notified about this regulation in writing at the beginning of the
school year and informed in writing in the event the student exceeds the 16-day limit. Schools
must have in place an appeals process for students/families with extenuating circumstances that
impact attendance.
APPEALS OF CONSEQUENCES FOR EXCESSIVE ABSENCES
Appeals of decisions resulting from excessive absences can be requested after student/parent
notification. Appeals will be processed by the end of the applicable school year. This process
should have the following elements:
1. Appeals will only be processed if the student has earned a passing grade.
2. Requests for an appeal must be signed by the student and parent(s)/guardian(s).
3. Parents should be strongly encouraged to participate in the appeals process.
4. The appeal should be considered by the principal or his/her designee, a teacher
to whom the student is not assigned, and a member of either the student services staff or
an identified attendance committee at the school. This panel can approve the appeal
without holding a hearing, but cannot deny the appeal without a hearing.
5. Appeals panels should consider the number of absences/tardies due to the following:
illnesses, quarantine, deaths in the immediate family, medical and/or dental appointments,
court or administrative proceedings, religious observances, principal-approved educational
opportunities, suspensions, and conditions which lead to designation of a student as
"medically fragile" or "other health impaired" under state and federal laws.
6. Parents should be notified regarding the outcome of the appeal by US Mail.
Attendance p. 2 of 3
ANNUAL ATTENDANCE REPORT
Schools will submit to the superintendent or his/her designee an annual attendance report by July
15th. This report should include at least the following information: the school's attendance rate for
the year; the number of students with more than 10 absences; and verification of adherence to the
required procedures, interventions, and consequences.
NOTE: North Carolina General Statute 115C-378 includes the following:
Whenever a student has accumulated three unexcused absences in a school year, the
principal or his designee shall notify the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student's excessive
absences. After not more than six unexcused absences, the principal shall notify the
parent(s)/guardian(s) by mail that he/she may be in violation of the Compulsory Attendance Law
and may be prosecuted if the absences cannot be justified under the established attendance
policies of the State and of the Orange County School System. Following this notification, a
school or school system employee shall work with the student and his family to eliminate the
attendance problems and may request that a law enforcement officer accompany him/heron a
home visit.
After ten accumulated unexcused absences in a school year, the principal shall review any
report of investigation prepared under G.S. 115C-381 and shall confer with the student and
his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) if possible to determine whether the parents}/guardian(s) has/have
received notification pursuant to this section and made a good faith effort to comply with the law.
If the custodian has not, the principal shall notify the district attorney or file a complaint with a
juvenile intake counselor. If the principal determines that the parent(s)/guardian(s) has/have
made a good faith effort, he may file under G.S. 7A-561 that the child is habitually absent from
school.
Attendance p. 3 of 3
I1 ~e , t i ,n~ 4.. 7
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Chapel Hilt-Carrboro City Schools
Fax # (919) 933-4560
Phone # (919) 967-8211
FAX COVER SHEET
Date: 9/24/03 Time: 9:55 p.m.
Attention: Sharon Hinton
From: Donna Wyatt
Total Pages 1 (including this cover sheet)
Please respond by:
White 163
Black 230
Asian 9
Hispanic 32
Mufti 7
Other 0
Total 441
Total Incidents were 69.
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ORANGE COUNTY
GORDON R. BAICrR
DIRECTOR
Ta: 'County: Commissioners
From: Finance Director.. ~' ...•..... • • ~ •~ -' ~~'
Subject: -'Recommended Policy on Fund Balance~of'School Sgstems.
Date: February ,
During the 1985-86 budget process, it was decided that a policy should be
developed regarding .the appropriate amount of fund balance available but
unappropriated that each school system should maintain. This policy Would
be agreed upon by the County Commissioners and the Boards of Education.
This recommended policy regarding the fund balance applies to the local current
expense fund and addresses the maximum amount of fund balance available but
unappropriated that each system should have at the beginning of each fiscal
year.
she school. systems should maintain only the fund balance~~necessary to meet their
cash ilow.needs and. to make relatively-minor adjustments iri their appropriations
during the year. •- .
The Local-Government Commission monitors the fund balance.. of the General Fund of
all tax levying units of government in North Carolina. They have established a
policy that ouch.units of.govercmeat should maintain each fiscal year a General
Fund fund.•balance available 'in an'amount equal. to at least 8X of the total
expend~.Cures.of the Genera. Fund for the year. The expenditures oa which this
8x~.is:computed includes the Couaty,'s expenditures for the school systems' local
current expense as well as far their capital outlay. Thus, in meeting the Local
Government Commission's minimum standard of 8X, the County's fund balance avail-
abl.e'for the General Fund includes a substantial amount that is related to expen-
ditures for the school systems. The Local Governaenc Commission does not have
such a minimum standard for the school systems themselves. One can conclude
from this that they rely'on the counties to. maintain an adequate fund balance
level,.fox the school systems.
The superintendent and the finance director for Orange County Schools have
expressed their desire to build the fund balance a•~ailable but unappropriated
in the local Curren se fund to a level of $120,000. This amount would
.equal approximatel .2.7X~of the budgeted expenditures in this fund for 1985-86
as originally adopceit-:- Based on the fact that Orange County Schools receive
~he~.:major- portion. of their local current e~cpense revenue from the County in
n;.equal amount each month,. and .using the County's SX minimum standard as a
-gauge~'aa2.7X-.fund-balance..level-should-be adequate.
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The Chanel Hill-Carrboro Schools rely oa the supplemental school district tax
is addition to the monthly County appropriation. The supplemental tax is
approximately 1/3 of their Local current expense fund revenues and is received
primarily. during the months of January and February. Because of this reliance
on the district tax and again, using the County's 8z minimum standard as a gauge,
a S.SZ fund bal.aace level should be adequate for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools.
Ia addition to my own analyses of the above percentages, I have discussed the
fund balance level appropriate for school systems with others in state•aad •
local government wha are familiar with school•and county finances. The consensus
was chat the fund balance level for school systems should be somewhat lower than
that of the County's 8z standard and that a system relying oa a supplemental tax
would need a higher level than otherwise necessary.
Based on my analyses and discussions, I recommend that the following policies
be established:
1. Orange County Schools begin each. fiscal year, to the extent possible,
with fund balance available but unappropriated is the local current
expense fund that is equal to no more than 2.7X of the budgeted
expenditures is that fund for that year, and;
2. Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools begin each fiscal year, to the extent
possible, with a fund balance available but' unappropriat n he
local current expense fund that is equal to no more that S.SX o the
budgeted expenditures in that fund for that year.•
It must be noted that, based an~the local current expense budgets as originally
adopted for 1985-86, Orange CountySchools fund balance level was approximately
$86,000 short of the level•recommended is this draft policy. Also, Chapel Hill-
Carrboro Schools fund balance level was approximately $204,000 short of the
recommended level. Considering the federal cut-back in assistance to local
governments, the County should not be expected to build-up the school systems
fund balance levels is one fiscal year. I recommend that this be accomplished
gradually over a period of several fiscal years.
./