Student Handbook - Kingsport City Schools

KINGSPORT CITY SCHOOLS • www.k12k.com STUDENT HANDBOOK
Make-Up Work
Please see School Operations: Make-Up Work.
Legal Sanctions
Middle and high school students can be charged with truancy and taken before the
Juvenile Court Judge. A truancy petition can result in the child being placed on
probation or being removed from the home and placed in foster care or a group
home. In cases involving elementary students, a dependency and neglect petition
will be filed in the Juvenile Court. Parents/legal guardians may be fined for each
unexcused absence. Further, if the parent/legal guardian is found to be at fault for the
unexcused absences, they may be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a
minor and sentenced to up to one (1) year in jail.
Communications
It is the responsibility of the parent (guardian) to notify the school by 9:00 a.m.
when a student is absent and provide the school with an explanation for the absence.
This will be used by the principal in determining whether or not the absence is
excused. Parents can notify the school regarding their child’s absence using one of
the following methods: e-mail the attendance contact person; call; OR send a written
excuse.
State law [TCA 49-6-3007(e)(2)] requires that the school send a letter to the parent/
guardian after five (5) days of absence without an adequate excuse. After five (5)
days of unexcused absence, the Attendance Supervisor will determine if action
should be taken against the parent or guardian of the student. In some instances,
charges against the student will be pursued if the student is responsible for the truant
behavior. (Please see Legal Sanctions above.)
The Attendance Supervisor will be informed of all attendance referrals needing
attention. At the time of referral, the Attendance Supervisor will make a
determination as to what action will be taken. Actions include intervention from
the Attendance Supervisor, referral to the Truancy Intervention Program or formal
action in the Juvenile or General Sessions Court.
Partial Absences, Tardiness, and Early Dismissals
The principal will refer students with 25 unexcused incidents of tardiness and/
or partial absences and/or early dismissals to the Attendance Supervisor who
determines appropriate action which may include filing an affidavit of complaint
against the parent or guardian.
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