Attendance & Truancy

Regular school attendance is critical for academic success, helping students build routines and stay on top of coursework while also informing the attendance data schools rely on for funding and improvement. The information below lists excused and unexcused absences along with additional details on truancy.

Excused Absences

Student absences are an unavoidable part of the school experience. While some absences are considered excused and authorized, it is crucial for parents to understand that all absences, whether excused or unexcused, count towards a student’s attendance record and can impact a student’s eligibility for class credit.

To receive credit in a class, a student must attend at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered. If a student falls below this 90 percent attendance threshold, they may not receive credit for the class, regardless of whether their absences were excused. This is in accordance with the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook (SAAH) issued by the Texas Education Agency, which sets official attendance accounting requirements for all public school districts in Texas.

To be considered an excused absence, documentation must be provided to the school within three days of the student returning to school. This documentation can include a note from a parent or doctor’s office, or other forms of verification as per school policy. Timely provision of proper documentation helps ensure that students receive the full benefit of their education and minimizes negative impacts on academic progress.

Student absences are considered excused for the following reasons:

  • Personal illness (parent note or call required)
  • Death of an immediate family member (note required)
  • Emergency in immediate family (note required)
  • Illness of the student’s child (note required)
  • Lice treatment (school-imposed)
  • Ongoing medical treatment (doctor’s note required)
  • Healthcare appointments (doctor, dentist, therapist, etc.)
  • CPS/law enforcement removal (documentation required)
  • Homeland security and visa appointments (documentation required)
  • Homebound instruction (CEHI-approved)
  • Medicaid-eligible Early and Periodic Screening (documentation required)
  • Nurse-sent home or consecutive days approved by the nurse
  • Out-of-school suspension (up to 3 days)
  • Citizenship-related appointments or naturalization ceremony (documentation required)
  • Military funeral honor taps (grades 6-12, assignments must be completed)
  • Mandated court appearance (documentation required)
  • Religious holy day observance (documentation and assignments must be completed)
  • School-sponsored activities (non-UIL)
  • UIL activity (principal approval required)
  • College/military visits (2 per year with prior approval)
  • Probation officer-required activity (documentation required)
  • Election clerk duties (documentation required)
  • Visit with active duty parent/guardian (up to 5 days with documentation, assignments must be completed)

It is important to differentiate between an “excused” absence for accounting purposes and its impact on academic credit. While an excused absence means it is authorized, it still contributes to the total number of days a student is not present in class, which directly affects the 90 percent attendance rule for earning credit.

For more detailed information, please refer to:

Unexcused Absence

If an absence does not meet the criteria for an excused absence or one of the extenuation circumstances specified in Board policy, the absence will be considered unexcused for attendance accounting purposes. Examples of unexcused student absences include but are not limited to the following reasons:

  • Any “excused” absence (including personal illness) without required documentation.
  • Failure to bring required doctor’s note (after student has been placed on “Doctor’s Note Required” for excessive absences for personal illness).
  • Non-school-sponsored activity (sports, competitions)
  • Family illness (non-emergency)
  • Death other than immediate family (as defined under EXCUSED ABSENCES)
  • Family trip/vacation
  • Welfare and WIC visit
  • College visit (beyond limit, without prior approval or appropriate verification)
  • Homeland security and visa appointment (passport/INS/visa/residency; without documentation required for an excused absence as specified above)
  • Private lesson, tutoring, counseling and other services
  • Religious retreat or other church-related event other than a holy day
  • Runaway
  • Truancy
  • Driver’s license-related visit
  • Weddings
  • Birthdays
  • Reunions
  • Quinceanera
  • Car trouble
  • Power outage
  • Over slept
  • Weather unless issued closure by Flour Bluff School District

Meet Our Truancy Officer, Joe Kramer

A lifelong resident of Flour Bluff, Joe Kramer has been deeply connected to the community since 1980. His background includes over 20 years in the oil industry as an Inspector and low-voltage electrician, which has given him a strong foundation in both his career and the community.

Joe’s commitment to supporting the Hornet culture and Flour Bluff residents is steadfast. He proudly serves in the following capacities:

• Alumni, Class of 1993
• President, Flour Bluff Citizens Council
• President, Corpus Christi Crime Control and Prevention District
• Member, City of Corpus Christi Development Services Technical Advisory Group (2021-Present)
• Volunteer for Special Olympics (2008-Present)
• Volunteer for Nueces County ESD#2 – Santa Float

Through these roles and his unwavering dedication to service, Joe Kramer exemplifies a commitment to the well-being and success of our community. His deep connections and experience make him a trusted and respected leader, always ready to support and uplift those around him.

For more Attendance information please contact the following:

Amanda Chavarria

Early Childhood Center
694-9077
achavarria@flourbluffschools.net

Krystal Jennings

Primary
694-9687
kjennings@flourbluffschools.net

Jessica Garcia

Elementary
694-9587
jgarcia@flourbluffschools.net

Deborah Sibert

Intermediate
694-9481
dsibert@flourbluffschools.net

Monica Garza

Junior High
694-9387
mgarza@flourbluffschools.net

Melissa Flores

High School
694-9189
melissaflores@flourbluffschools.net