Spring Cove SD Declines to Adjust Absentee Policy

Spring Cove School Board Board Member Misti Fisher spoke adamantly about changing the district’s absentee policy during the attendance policy discussion (Policy No. 204) while other boardmembers expressed opposition during the February regular Board of Directors meeting for the Spring Cove School District.

Fisher said that in other nearby school districts, five days off with the flu would not even count as one day absent. She cited Northern Bedford’s attendance policy several times, saying other districts were not as strict as Spring Cove on student absences for illnesses of several days at a time.

Superintendent Dr. Betsy Baker said a student was given 10 days for absenteeism, then given six unexcused absences before a doctor’s excuse was needed and the absences started being counted as unexcused absences.

Dr. Baker said parents can work with building principals on unexcused absences. Boardmember Linda Smith said grants and special education funding consider at a district’s percentage of attendance when awarding grants. She also said that the district would see an increase in percentage of absences if the current rule of attendance is changed.

Board President Troy Wright said, “We are preparing students for the workplace where they need to show up and attendance is critical.”

Solicitor Jen Dambeck said no changes could be made to the attendance policy prior to the 2024-25 school year.

A motion to create a policy committee was defeated by an 8-1 margin, with board member Chuck Gojmerac the only supporter. President Wright told the board that the policy committee was just adding an extra layer which was not necessary.

A motion to approve the 2024-25 school calendar and the 2024-27 Comprehensive Plan were both unanimously approved.

The board honored and recognized Central High School football coach Dave Baker upon his retirement. In his 44 years of coaching for Williamsburg and Central, Baker won 245 games. At Central Baker won 119 games across 13 seasons and led the Dragons to seven District 6 championships with four appearances in the state semi-finals.

Superintendent Dr. Baker, during her report to the board, stated the district was applying for a Competitive School Safety Grant.

“We can apply for a maximum award of $450,000,” Supt. Baker told the board. “We are in the process of completing this application in an effort to gain additional funds to support our school police services and to secure additional safety equipment being requested by our staff. Examples include additional radios, updates to our video surveillance systems, metal detectors, new gates and bollards.”

The next regular board meeting is Monday, March 18, at 7 p.m. in the Administration Office Board Room.