A new citizenship policy has some Murray parents angry and others hopeful.
The school board unanimously approved the policy with slight changes Wednesday night after listening to parents' concerns that more time would help them and students accept the policy.Karen Hess said that, depending on how the school dealt with the policy, it would help curb unexcused absences. She hoped they would make sure students understood the policy completely before it went into effect.
"The Murray District is superb at working with parents," she said. Educating parents would help them to sell the policy to their children.
Another parent, Sharon Opfermann, urged the board not to approve the policy because parents haven't been adequately informed about the ramifications of the policy. In a letter to the board, she said they haven't had time to review, respond or have questions answered.
"I don't believe remediation should be required of any student who is absent from school with parental consent, regardless of the reason," Opfermann said. "I should not have to `appeal' my child's authorized absences."
The policy states a student will receive a "U" for unsatisfactory attendance, tardiness or behavioral problems. An "S" will be given to those who don't exceed five unexcused absences or suffer excessive tardies.
Parents will receive a computerized phone call the first two times a student is absent. On the third absence, a parent will be personally notified of the absence and of the penalty for any additional absences. On the fourth absence, a "citizen notification form" is signed by the student and a portion of that is sent home.
The policy has extensive appeals processes and remediation for making up a "U." Citizenship grades are required to graduate from Murray High. Principal Richard Tranter said this year only four or five didn't graduate because of failing citizenship requirements.
School counselor Bill Long said students who have been involved in committee work or taken the time to ask questions about the new policy are happy about it. He said it needed to be ratified as soon as possible so they could include the policy in the student handbook and work with students who are trying to make up poor citizenship grades this summer.
Board member Bruce Cutler was concerned that the policy included no reward for those who excelled in citizenship. When Board member Laura Baker moved to adopt the policy, she included a stipulation that the committee would meet in the middle of the semester and evaluate the policy, as well as look at incentives.