Issaquah Parents And Teachers Face Off Over Policy On Absences

ISSAQUAH - Eyeball to eyeball, teachers and parents had opposing views of the proposed secondary-school attendance policy the Issaquah School Board considered during a public hearing last night.

Under the current policy, illness is the only reason for which an absence will be excused for middle- and high-school students. If a student misses class for any other non-school-related reason, teachers may deny the student the chance to make up coursework.

The new policy would excuse all parent-approved absences.

Thirty people braved the threat of snow to debate the policy. The board members will vote on the policy during a Feb. 28 meeting.

``We should not be pushed to the point that we have to lie that our kid is sick in order to get our kid away for a week,'' said parent Gayle Morgan. ``A lot of people do not have the seniority on their jobs to pick summertime for their vacations.''

Increasing the possible excuses would increase the absence rate, teachers said. Issaquah High School counselors and Liberty High School teachers sent letters to the board strongly opposing the policy change. The Liberty High letter was signed by all but one of the teachers.

``I am convinced the policy changes considered will increase absences,'' said Jeff Dineen, a chemistry teacher at Issaquah High School.

The teachers said preparing make-up assignment cuts into their regular class-preparation time. In addition, class discussion and science-lab participation is essential and cannot be duplicated in work at home or after school, they said.

Students overwhelmingly support the proposed changes, said Colin Barr, a staff member on the Issaquah High student newspaper. The newspaper staff polled 100 students and found that 91 percent support the changes, and 81 percent said they didn't think the new policy would increase absences.

The 12-day absence limit would remain unchanged; more absences lead to parent conferences and possible suspension.