The Attendance Office is responsible for the following areas:

• Student Attendance
• Attendance Records and  Accountability
• Residency Requirements and Zone Lines
• Student Truancy

The state of Tennessee has several laws that deal with education and school attendance.  By law, a child is required to attend school until age eighteen (18) or until he/she obtains a high school diploma. Tennessee Code Annotated 49-6-3007 requires that the parent be notified in writing when a child has been unlawfully absent, which means without an adequate excuse (unexcused absence), for five (5) or more days in a school year.  In accordance with state law and local school board policy, parents and legal authorities are informed when a student has ten (10) or more unexcused absences.

Tennessee Code Annotated 49-6-3007 states that the parents or guardian of students who are absent more than five (5) days during any school year without adequate excuse may be fined up to $50.00 or assessed five (5) hours of community service at the discretion of the judge.

Tennessee Code Annotated 49-6-3009 states that any parent, guardian, or other person who has control of any school-aged child or children and who shall violate the provisions of this part shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.  Each day's unlawful absence shall constitute a separate misdemeanor. A Class C misdemeanor is punishable by a fifty-dollar ($50.00) fine and/or thirty (30) days in jail for each offense.

For more information on school attendance requirements, refer to school board policy 6.200 or contact Renee West, Attendance Supervisor, at 664-2570.