Code Number: 501.9
Except as otherwise provided by law, a child who has reached the age of six and is under the age of sixteen by September 15 is required by state law to attend school unless physically or mentally unable to do so. A child who has reached the age of five by September 15 and who is enrolled in the District shall also be considered to be of compulsory attendance age unless the parent or guardian of the child notifies the District in writing of the parent’s or guardian’s intent to remove the child from enrollment in the District. Finally, a child who has reached the age of four by September 15 and who is enrolled in the statewide preschool program shall be considered to be of compulsory attendance age unless the parent or guardian of the child submits written notice to the District of the parent’s or guardian’s intent to remove the child from enrollment in the preschool program.
Students shall attend school at the attendance center designated by the Board. Students will attend school for the number of hours school is in session in accordance with the school calendar, which will not be less than 1,080 hours. Students not attending the minimum hours must meet an allowable exception or may be deemed truant and referred to the county attorney. Allowed exceptions to this requirement include children who:
- have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or have obtained a high
school equivalency diploma; - are excused for sufficient reason by any court of record or judge;
- are excused while attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;
- are attending an accredited or probationally accredited private college preparatory school;
- attend a school that has obtained a religious or congregational exemption from the Iowa Department of Education;
- are attending an accredited nonpublic school;
- are receiving independent private instruction; or,
- are receiving competent private instruction.
It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian of a child to provide evidence of the child’s mental and physical inability to attend a school or of the child’s qualifications for one of the exceptions listed above.
The school administrator will investigate the cause of a student’s truancy. If the administrator is unable to secure the truant student’s attendance, the administrator should discuss the next step with the District administration. If, after administrative action, the student is still truant, the matter will be referred to the county attorney.
The District will participate in mediation if requested by the county attorney. The Superintendent or his / her designee will represent the District in mediation. The District will monitor the student’s compliance with the mediation agreement and will report violations of the mediation agreement to the county attorney.
- First Adoption:
- 2014-09-08
- Revision Adoption:
- April 8, 2019
- Reviewed Dates:
- March 18, 2019
- Legal Reference:
-
Iowa Code §§279.10-.11; Chapters 299; 299A
281 I.A.C 12.1
1978 Op. Att’y. Gen. 379 (No. 78-1-12)