Gene Constantino (Item file photo)
By Bridget Turcotte
LYNN — Students take days off from school for many different reasons, a principal told school committee members Thursday, but relatively few abuse the attendance policy.
Committee members weighed these words before deciding to leave the current policy intact.
The current policy, last reviewed in 2014, allows seven days of unexcused absences per academic quarter.
Committee member Lorraine Gately requested a closer look at the policy at a meeting last month. She expressed concern that many students are taking advantage of the policy and aren’t developing good work habits.
Gene Constantino, principal of Lynn Classical High School, spoke in favor of the current policy, pointing to the high-needs students who could suffer from a lesser amount of unexcused days.
“We have kids that take days like vacation days,” he said. “I think the key is to try to change that. We have a high-needs group. Many of our students miss school for legitimate reasons.”
Some students face unique challenges with their family or home life, he said. Others miss school because they need to take care of their younger siblings.
“What would happen to that student who already knows he’s failing?” he said. “What hope am I giving that student if I say ‘I’m sorry, you already have four absences for the quarter.’”
Rather than change the policy, he suggested principals and teachers handle the problem within the school. Making each day and class important and offering incentives for perfect attendance will encourage students to go to school, he said.
“The kid who is taking extra days, yeah, it will prevent that kid from taking those extra days,” Constantino said. “But the kid who is struggling with trauma is going to suffer.”
Committee member John Ford said he would rather have a few children who know how to cheat the system than make it impossible for students who are struggling to succeed.
“We want the kids who can graduate to graduate,” said committee member Jared Nicholson. “Not to push people off the edge who are close.”
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.