JAY – A school policy that allows students a personal day and a conflict over unexcused tardies prompted questions at Monday’s School Committee meeting.

“It sends the wrong message,” said veteran teacher and former football coach Mike Henry of the practices.

The high school handbook grants each student one personal day per year as long as it is approved by a parent. An agreement between the school’s athletic staff and administration allows one unexcused tardy per season that permits a student to participate in extra-curricular or co-curricular events on the day he or she is late.

Neither policy is approved by the board.

Chairwoman Mary Redmond-Luce researched both issues, concluding that the high school handbook does allow one personal day, although it is not board-approved policy. The practice of giving students one excused tardy each athletic season is an agreement reached between Athletic Director/Assistant Principal Kenric Charles and coaching staff, she said, and is also not board policy.

According to official board policy, an unexcused tardy means “you cannot play that day if there is a game,” Principal John Robinson said. The student would also not be allowed to participate in co-curricular or extra-curricular activities, according to the high school student handbook.

The handbook defines excused absences as personal illness, appointments with health professionals, religious holidays, emergency family situations, and personal or educational leaves, approved in advance.

The sixth reason listed in the handbook is a personal day, permitted once a year with parental approval, for reasons other than those listed. Personal days may not be taken during midterm or final exams, the handbook states.

Charles, reached Tuesday, said the personal days policy was approved by faculty a few years ago.

“Students have things that are important to them that don’t necessarily meet state guidelines for being out of school,” Charles said, noting the situations allow students to demonstrate responsibility and right decision-making skills.

Henry asked committee members if they were aware of other schools offering personal days. He also questioned the excused tardies, saying it was common in the mid-1970s for athletes to come to school midday so they could rest up for a game.

“We saw a major, major problem,” Henry said. “This is putting athletics above academics.”

More than once in his coaching career, he said, he had to tell athletes they couldn’t play.

“We were trying to send a message that academics were more important,” Henry said.

He also said there was arbitrary enforcement of the school practice, and it affects classrooms. He challenged the school board to look into student personal days and the practice of one excused tardy per season to determine whether they want athletics going before academics.

School Committee members plan to review the handbook, including senior privileges, at a future meeting.