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The Coffee County Board of Education has set twenty (20) days as the maximum number a student can miss during the school year. Students whose absences exceed the twenty (20) day limit, and who wish to appeal, may request an appeal form from the guidance office. Students who miss more than twenty (20) days and do not successfully appeal their absences may be retained for the school year. Students are required to attend school 160 days to receive credit for the year.

The Coffee County Board of Education recognizes that there are legitimate reasons for a student to miss a class or be absent from school. The reasons fall into the following categories:

1. Personal illness
2. Serious illness to a member of the immediate family
3. Death in the immediate family
4. Recognized spiritual or religious holidays observed by the student's faith
5. Absences mandated by governmental agencies

In order for an absence to be excused, a note from the student's parent or doctor must be brought to the teacher(s) within two (2) school days of the absence. After two days, the absence will be unexcused. Students who fail to make up work missed due to an excused absence are subject to receiving a zero (0) for the missed assignments(s). It is the student's responsibility to contact the teacher(s) for the makeup work.

The Student Attendance Committee may choose to meet at the end of the first semester and/or the end of second semester to hear appeals and to discuss cases individually. The Student Attendance Committee consisit of an administrator, a counselor, classroom teachers, and a family connection caseworker. Students and parents will be expected to justify and support with documentation each absence. The committee shall hear the student's request and approve or reject the appeal for waiver of the policy. In the event that the parents do not agree with the committee's decision, they may petition for an appeal within ten (10) days. The appeal process includes the Principal, Superintendent, and/or Board of Education.

A hospital/homebound program is available for students who will be absent more than ten (10) consecutive days and meet state guidelines for the program. Forms are available in the Guidance Office.