Schools

Mansfield Schools Prepare for New State Mandates on Absences and Discipline

The school district is preparing to be compliant with a new mandate from the state concerning absences and suspended students.

In anticipation of stricter rules on absences from the state, students in Mansfield can expect tighter rules on taking days off from school and a larger effort to educate suspended and expelled students thanks to a new mandate from the State House.

Under the state’s guidelines set to take effect starting with the 2014-15 school year, excused absences will be limited to court dates, religious holidays, and illnesses with a doctor’s note. Anything else will count as an unexcused absence. Seniors will be allowed five college visits during school.

At Mansfield High School, the amount of absences allowed per a trimester is five but it will be decreased to three in anticipation of the new regulations.

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Students will be allowed seven absences over a six month period and any student with 15 or more unexcused absences will be considered an automatic drop out.

In addition, students who leave school or drop out will have to perform an exit interview with the superintendent and relevant staff. At the April 2 meeting of the Mansfield School Committee, Mansfield High School Principal Michael Connolly admitted it will likely be difficult to get someone who did not show up for school to show up for the interview.

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For students suspended for at least 10 days or expelled, the school will now be responsible for supplying and funding alternative means of education for the student while they are out of school.

It is unknown how much the cost would be to tutor students out of school but Superintendent Brenda Hodges said the district would look at the costs of tutors and the district's discipline records to help create an estimate of what the costs might be.

More changes and details are expected in May when the school handbooks are updated.


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