A new state law aims to crack down on unexcused absences in schools across Indiana.

The law known as Senate Enrolled Act 482 was passed this year on May 6. It targets absenteeism and mandates disciplinary action for students.

“Basically, what this bill means is when a student has five or more unexcused absences, we are required as a school to set up a meeting with the parents so that we can share with them why their kid isn’t showing up for school that day. Seven through 10 unexcused absences is a letter home, and 15 unexcused absences can lead to suspension or expulsion,” Principal Michael Gasaway said. 

Introducing this law to Greenwood will be a wake-up call for many student who were over the five unexcused absences mark in past years.

“Last year and years before, there were many students who were above the five-unexcused mark. I expect it to be a different experience now for the students because of this. It will definitely be a change for students and for teachers here,” Mr Gasaway said. 

This will also affect attendance in the way it is logged and reported.

“The state is now changing the way that I will be reporting to them who is unexcused and who is excused. It used to be either excused or unexcused, but now there are six other options I can choose from. These options are like excused medical or excused for a funeral, and there is a lot that goes into it now with this new law. This will make a difference in determining what is actually excused and unexcused so that the state knows where kids are and why they aren’t at school,” Mrs. Erin Arthur, attendance secretary, said. 

There are also more rules that go into the attendance program in PowerSchool.

“From here on out, I would recommend that students try to get documentation for whenever they are out of school. It allows me to run the attendance program more easily and for me to mark students excused,” Mrs. Arthur said. “The more documentation the better. This is because with documentation, a student will not be marked unexcused. It is definitely a good practice for students and parents to start doing.”

This new law has now added more stress on the office, and, in turn, the administration added a dean in Mrs. Iana Allen. She will be teaching half days and serving as dean the other half.

“I am an English teacher, dean of students, associate athletic director, Student Council, and Prom director. But now, yes, I am a dean of students, and I will be taking care of phone calls home as well as any necessary meetings with parents,” Mrs. Allen said.