School Board Policy Revisions: Updates from Feb. 22, 2024

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) policy revisions that are adopted by the Alexandria City School Board are available to access on our website, with staff being notified through the ACPS Insider newsletter. These are updates of existing Board policies, and we are informing staff of these changes as they govern school division operations. For more details about the policy revisions adopted by the School Board, please visit the webpage.

The following is a summary of the key changes, details are available on Electronic School Board.

JEA - Compulsory Attendance

JEA-R/JED-R – Attendance Regulations

JEA-R2/JED-R2 – Attendance Codes 

• Revision Reason - Requested review
• Standard changes
• VSBA model policy alignment
• Added that Superintendent responsible for developing Regulations for the policy  
• Updated to reflect  Va. Code § 22.1-261
• Updated to reflect amendment of Va. Code § 22.1-207.7 by HB 246/SB 596 Va. Code § 22.1-254 by HB 1022
• Permits students to miss a certain number of days for 4-H activities or to attend a pow pow
• Relocated and revised process for attendance for virtual learning
• Added content and references for period absences
• Updated dates/timeframes to reflect current Code of Virginia
• Relocated attendance codes to a new regulation
• Added the creation of an attendance plan for a pattern of unexcused absences
• Added that the principal must assist families with obtaining a Dr’s note for medical absences to address equity issues.

JED – Student Absences/Excuses/Dismissals

• Revision Reason - Requested review
• Standard changes
• VSBA model policy alignment
• Reorganization to improve readability
• Added the number of days a student can be out for HS Work Partnerships
• Added a requirement to keep a log of parental notifications
• Added breadcrumbs to regulation JEA-R which lists the reason for excused absences

ACPS has more than 400 policies and regulations which are systematically revised prior to being presented to the School Board for information. The revision process includes alignment with the associated Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) model policy, alignment with the Code of Virginia, an equity review, a legal review, revisions by a team of staff members, a Senior Leadership Team review and a School Board Policy Committee review. Public input on proposed revisions is taken at School Board Policy Committee meetings and regular School Board meetings.