Regular attendance by students at school is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the educational program. Parents and students are encouraged to ensure regular and timely attendance at school. Absences from school should whenever possible be minimized.

Every person residing in the district who has legal or actual charge or control of a child between the ages of six (as of January 1 of the then-current school year) and eighteen years of age shall cause that child to attend school each and every day that school is in session.

Attendance is not mandatory for a child who has reached the age of 6 years of age prior to January 1 of the then current school year, if the child’s parent or guardian has signed and filed with the school district in which the child resides an affidavit stating either: the child is participating in an education program that the parent or guardian believes will prepare the child to enter grade one for the following year; or that the parent or guardian intends for the child to participate in a school which has elected or will elect pursuant to law not to meet accreditation or approval requirements and the parent or guardian intends to provide the Commissioner of Education with a statement pursuant to section 79-1601 (3) on or before the child’s seventh birthday. Attendance is also not mandatory for a child who has obtained a high school diploma by meeting statutory graduation requirements; has completed the program of instruction offered by a school that elects pursuant to law not to meet accreditation or approval requirements; or has reached the age of 16 years and has been withdrawn from school in the manner prescribed by law (see Policy 502.08).

Excessive Absenteeism
Elkhorn Public Schools defines excessive absenteeism as unexcused and excused absences exceeding ten percent of days enrolled or the hourly equivalent. The school principal or designee may file a report to the county attorney of the county in which the person resides when the number of unexcused and excused absences exceeds twenty (20) days cumulatively per school year or the hourly equivalent.

If the number of excused and unexcused absences exceeds ten percent or the hourly equivalent, the Superintendent or his/her designee may provide the following services to the student and his/her guardian:

1. Verbal or written communication by school officials with the person or persons who have legal or actual charge or control of any child; and
2. One or more meetings between the school principal or designee, the student’s parent or guardian or person who has actual charge or control of the student, and the student (when appropriate), if necessary to report and to attempt to address the barriers to attendance, unless the school official has documented the refusal of the parent or guardian to participate in such meetings. The result of the meeting or meetings shall be to develop a collaborative plan to reduce barriers identified to improve regular attendance. The plan shall consider, but not be limited to:

(i) The physical, mental or behavioral health of the child.
(ii) Educational counseling;
(iii) Referral to community agencies for economic services;
(iv) Family or individual counseling;
(v) Assisting the family in working with other community services;
(vi) Referral to restorative justice practices or services

After meeting with the parent/guardians and the absences have been determined excessive per this policy, the principal or designee may categorize all absences (past and future) as “unexcused” unless sufficient health information is evident or other extraordinary circumstances are evident and merits the discretion of the principal or designee.

The school may report to the county attorney of the county in which the person resides when the school has documented the efforts to address excessive absences, the collaborative plan to reduce barriers identified to improve regular attendance has not been successful, and the student has accumulated more than twenty (20) absences per year. The school shall notify the student’s family in writing prior to reporting the student to the county attorney. The physical, mental, or behavioral health of the student which makes attendance impossible or impracticable shall not be the basis for referral to the county attorney.

The Superintendent or designee shall report to the Commissioner of Education as directed by the Commissioner regarding the number of and reason for any long-term suspension, expulsion, or excessive absenteeism; or contacting of law enforcement officials (other than law enforcement officials employed by or contracted by the District as a resource officer) by the District relative to a student enrolled in the District.

Legal Reference:
79-201, 79-209, 79-527

Approved: September 14, 1992
Revised: September 12, 1996
Revised: September 14, 1998
Revised: April 10, 2006
Revised: March 9, 2009
Revised: December 13, 2010
Revised: November 14, 2011
Revised: August 11, 2014
Revised: August 21, 2017
Revised: December 14, 2020
Revised: August 12, 2024