Centralia High School is cracking down on students with excessive absences. The Board of Education approved a policy Thursday night that states that after either six unexcused absences or twelve total absences, a student will receive no credit for the class. Principal Reid Shipley noted that "No Credit" is not the same thing as failing a class. He adds the administration has discretion over the policy and students could still receive credit if they have chronic medical conditions or similar circumstances. Shipley feels the line has to be drawn somewhere.
“Now, its just mom continuously calling in and saying ‘he’s sick’ and every Monday, he’s taking the day off, we’re not going to overturn it for that,” said Shipley.
Students with excellent attendance will have the opportunity to be rewarded with an exemption from second semester exams. Students will be eligible if they have three days or less of excused absences, at most one unexcused absence, no out-of-school suspension days, no more than two in-school suspension days, no more than eight hours of Saturday detention per hour, per year and no more than one tardy referral from any class. Shipley said because this is a reward, only absences from school events will not be counted. When a student fails any quarter of the semester, exams must be taken to regardless of semester attendance. Assistant Principal Julie Boltz says the new policies, quote, "give kids the incentive to do a good job."
