LEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - As students across South Georgia head back to school, districts are modifying their attendance policies.

According to the Department of Education, chronic absenteeism has dropped to 19.5%. But new state legislation, Senate Bill 123, now allows schools with high absentee rates to take additional action.

Thanks to the bill, the Lee County School District can establish attendance support teams. This will allow their response time with students and families who are chronically absent to be more transparent.

Their policy allows just 10 parent-excused absences a year. Illness, emergencies, court appearances, and religious observances are excused, but after that, absences must be documented. Some parents believe that this isn’t fair for kids who may need a mental health day.

“It’s ridiculous, you got to have a doctor’s note. Having to have a doctor’s note for one sick day is ridiculous,” said one parent who chose to stay anonymous. “They should get a little extra time.”

Bainbridge High School is going even further, implementing a stricter policy for the 2025-2026 school year. Under the new rules, any student who has 10 or more unexcused absences in a course won’t receive credit for it, even if they’re passing.

They’ll instead get an incomplete grade and have to meet the terms of an attendance contract or attend summer school. And regarding notes from parents about a student’s absence, only five per semester will be accepted without official documentation. This new policy sparked major discourse online. Many parents believe that this is just too strict.

“It seems overly strict, you know, transportation absences wouldn’t be excused. It would be unexcused if I get up one morning and my car won’t start, and I can’t find nobody to come get him, why is he going to be punished?” one parent said.

Decatur County Schools sent a message to us regarding their attendance policy.

“Decatur County Schools would like to stress the importance of attendance and the direct correlation between attendance and academic accomplishments, social growth, and preparedness for the workforce. 

We believe our new procedure and protocol will help hold everyone accountable and let students know that we want to see them at school and support their promising futures.

Our attendance updates are part of a statewide push from the Georgia Department of Education to increase attendance in all schools across the state of Georgia."

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