October 1, 2024

Decorah Community School District

Dear Decorah Community,

In response to new state laws, specifically Iowa Senate File 2435, the Decorah Community School District has implemented updated attendance policies. These changes are designed to promote regular school attendance and clarify definitions of chronic absenteeism and truancy.

Key Updates:

• Chronic Absenteeism: A student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of scheduled school days. Exempt absences for legitimate medical reasons, religious observances, or court-directed activities do not count towards this total.
• Truancy: Defined for students aged 6 to 16, truancy occurs when a student accumulates 20% or more non-exempt absences, which include excused but non-exempt reasons.
• Notification and Support: Families will be notified if a student reaches 10% absenteeism. If absenteeism continues, a School Engagement Meeting will be held to develop an Absenteeism Prevention Plan.

Exempt absences include those related to documented medical reasons, religious activities, and specific court-related matters. For a medical appointment to be considered exempt, students must submit a note from a health care provider to the office upon their return to school. Non-exempt absences, such as family vacations and college visits, will count towards attendance metrics, as they do not qualify for exemption.

We encourage families to communicate with school officials for support and guidance. For detailed information, including attendance coding and FAQs, please visit our website or contact your school office. The FAQ has been attached to this email.  

We will continue to update these documents as more information and guidance from the Department of Education becomes available.  Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring our students’ success.

Sincerely,

Tim Cronin, Superintendent