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pstokely

(10,812 posts)
Tue Jul 29, 2025, 12:50 AM Jul 29

Why a doctor's note will no longer excuse absences at this Tennessee school district

Source: Nashville Tennessean

Lawrence County School System officials announced the new attendance policy during a June 26 board meeting, where Director of Schools Michael Adkins cited high rates of "chronic" absenteeism among students.

Previously, the district allowed multiple excused absences as long as students provided a doctor’s note. Under the new policy, however, a doctor’s note will no longer excuse student absences.

"We have high, chronic absenteeism because of excused absences. This policy says, 'You're either at school or you're not. And if you're not, you're absent.'" said Adkins. "And we're not going to waive that with a doctor's note."

Adkins added that the new policy will allow the school system to "take control" of student attendance.

Read more: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/education/2025/07/28/lawrence-county-tennessee-schools-doctors-note-excuse-absences/85378878007/

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Mark.b2

(621 posts)
1. My guess is doctors' notes were being abused....
Tue Jul 29, 2025, 01:12 AM
Jul 29

It wouldnt surprise me that there was a doctor or two in town where these notes were easy to get. Sort of like those Dr. Feel Good’s with plenty of prescription pads and readily willing to treat ‘fibromyalgia’, back pain, and migraines.

pstokely

(10,812 posts)
2. but it might also mean more germ spreading at school
Tue Jul 29, 2025, 01:25 AM
Jul 29

in many schools, schools lose $ if attendance falls below a threshold for day, probably why schools cancel for minor winter weather didn't use to cancel for and for victory parades

Hekate

(99,046 posts)
5. I doubt that's quite the case. Neither migraines nor fibromyalgia are psychosomatic...
Tue Jul 29, 2025, 02:29 AM
Jul 29

…and their symptoms in a pediatric patient should be investigated to determine the cause.

niyad

(126,336 posts)
6. Why is fibromyalgia in quotes, as though this condition is not real? Are
Tue Jul 29, 2025, 06:40 AM
Jul 29

you actully acquainted wih any who suffer from it? I am, and what they endure is heartbreaking, not the least of which is dismissal by the ignorant of their condition.

unblock

(55,558 posts)
3. After Donnie's pro-Covid policies during the pandemic, this kind of stupidity comes as no surprise.
Tue Jul 29, 2025, 02:14 AM
Jul 29

Of course it will prove counterproductive. Forcing sick students to go to school will create more sick kids and therefore more absences.

Hekate

(99,046 posts)
4. This should be interesting as childhood diseases make a comeback thanks to the antivaxers...
Tue Jul 29, 2025, 02:25 AM
Jul 29

…and thanks to BobK junior the sadistic nutball running the Dept of Health.

Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and whooping cough are all on the rise. In a world where a traveller can get from one continent to the next in a day, diseases the current generation has absolutely no experience with can come into American airports with ease.

My mom knew got us kids the vaccines available when we were born — DPT and Smallpox. She knew all the signs, symptoms, potential deadly complications, home nursing, and when to get us in to the doctor’s office. When polio vaccines were developed, my parents joined the whole blessed town in lines around the block to make sure we all got protected.

How long before polio shows back up?

This school district is run by idiots. But why should they be different from DC?

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