15-Day Absence Rule
In grades 9-12, credit may be denied in any class in which a student is πabsent (for any reason other than school-sponsored activities) fifteen times or the equivalent in a block schedule in a semester. This includes both excused and unexcused absences. (Pursuant to School Board Policy 5113) When a student has fifteen days absent, a committee of three educators will meet to determine if the student shall receive credit or not receive credit. 

KHS Student Handbook and BP 5113

Attendance Petition Procedures 
When a student has fifteen days absent, a committee of three educations will meet to determine of the student shall receive credit or not receive credit. The students will be allowed to explain and provide documentation for the reasons for missed days of school and why they deserve credit. The petition letter could include extenuating circumstances if they met academic course requirements, special arrangements, etc. The committee (which will include 1 assistant principal, 1 teacher and 1 counselor) will provide the building principal with a recommendation of those who should and should not receive credit for classes with more than 15 days absent. The committee will make a recommendation to the principal. A decision may be overturned by the superintendent.

 KHS Student Handbook, pages 9-12

BP 5113 ABSENCES AND EXCUSES
A student may be excused from class for the following reasons:

(1) illness;

(2) unavoidable emergencies at home;

(3) death in the family;

(4) doctor or dental appointments;

(5) prearranged situations in which the educational interest may be equally well served by the student’s absence from school; and

(6) religious instruction, participation in religious exercises, or religious holiday.

(7) subsistence gathering up to 5 days per school year.

A student’s parent or guardian shall be required to provide an excuse for each instance a student is absent from school. Excuses may be written or phoned in to the school.

Class attendance is essential to the learning process; excessive absenteeism disrupts and hinders that process, not only for the absent student, but for his/her classmates as well. In grades 9 through 12, credit may be denied in any class in which a student is absent, other than school-sponsored activities, fifteen (15) times (or the equivalent in a block schedule) in a semester. A student who has been denied credit under this section in two (2) classes may be recommended for expulsion. Students in kindergarten through grade 8 may be retained in the same grade the following school year for violation of this policy.

The Board of Education recognizes the educational merit for students attending the annual Youth and Elder’s Conference and/or the Alaska Federations of Natives Annual Convention. Absences recorded for students engaged in these state-wide conferences shall not count toward loss of credit or being retained in the same grade.

Unexcused Absences/Truancy
The Board is committed to keeping students in school. Truancy is defined as the absence of a student from class without the knowledge or prior consent of the parent/guardian. The Superintendent or designee shall implement all steps appropriate to reduce student absences and to ensure that all children residing within the District are receiving appropriate educational services as required by law.