The Marshalltown Community School District board approved updates to its attendance policy to reflect changes in state law identified as Senate File 277 and waived a second reading, passing the action 7-0.

A district staff member identified as Annelle explained the revisions, saying the policy now explicitly includes military, funeral and wedding excuses as exceptions. "In addition to what Ellie and I presented the last time we were here, and according to Senate File 277, we added a couple of exceptions that were part of the law, which were military excuse, funeral excuse, and wedding excuse," Annelle said. She told the board the language also clarifies travel allowances: the policy provides 1 to 2 days for travel if an event is out of state, and those days can include participation in the funeral or wedding process.

Annelle also said the district is no longer required to send a certified-mail notice for chronic absenteeism under the updated regulation, which the staff noted will save district funds. The item on the agenda was identified as 50103 R2; staff asked the board to waive a second reading so the policy would be in effect for the start of the school year.

A board member moved to approve the policy revisions and waive the second reading; the motion passed unanimously, 7-0.

Board members did not request additional changes during the meeting; staff said the remaining policy language had been discussed at a prior meeting and that the changes align district procedures with the cited state law.