School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 2-36

ADMINISTRATION

Attendance Officers

Building principals are designated as attendance officers for the Virginia Beach City School Division and shall act in accordance with the law as set forth in the legal reference below.

Legal Reference:

Code of Va., § 22.1-258. Appointment of attendance officers; notification when pupil fails to report to school. "Every school board shall have power to appoint one or more attendance officers who shall be charged with the enforcement of the provisions of this article. Where no attendance officer is appointed by the school board, the division superintendent shall act as attendance officer."

Whenever any pupil fails to report to school on a regularly scheduled school day and no indication has been received by school personnel that the pupil's parent or guardian is aware of the pupil's absence, a reasonable effort to notify by telephone the parent or.guardian shall be made by the attendance officer, other school personnel or volunteers organized by the school administration for this purpose. School divisions are encouraged to use noninstructional personnel for this notice.

Whenever any pupil fails to report to school for five consecutive school days, and no indication has been received by school personnel that the pupil's parent or guardian is aware of the pupil's absence, and a reasonable effort to notify the parent or guardian has failed, the school principal or his designee shall notify the parent or guardian by letter that such parent or guardian is requested to advise the school in writing of the reason for the pupil's absence or to accompany t he pupil upon his return to school to explain the reason for his absence. Upon the failure of the parent or guardian to so advise the school or to return the child to school within three days of the date of the notice, the school principal or his designee shall notify the attendance officer or the division superintendent, as the case may be, who shall enforce the provisions of this article.

However, nothing in this section shall be construed to limit in any way the authority of any attendance officer or division superintendent to seek immediate compliance with the compulsory school attendance law as set forth in this article.

Attendance officers, other school personnel or volunteers organized by the school administration for this purpose shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability in connection with the notice to parents of a pupil's absence or failure to give such notice as required by this section. (1991)

Editor's Note
See also school board policy 5-17 and any implementing regulations regarding Absences/Truancy/Parental Notification

 

Adopted by School Board:  October 20, 1992