Letting seniors skip, to keep them in school

School board members hear proposal for "senior release" incentives.
The move would allow seniors to miss school if they have met other attendance requirements and are not required to pass certain classes to graduate.

February 11, 2020 - 11:21 AM

Iola High School students can take a workplace training class that allows them to run a printing business. Participating students gave USD 257 board members an update on the program at Monday’s meeting. Becca Wood talks about her job, with instructor Laura Schinstock behind her. From left, are students Andi Reynolds, Kenna Orear and Grace Garner. Also participating in the class but unable to attend Monday’s meeting is Jon Poffenbarger. Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register

Senioritis. It’s a problem that seems to afflict high school seniors, especially during their final semester, causing them to repeatedly miss days of school and lead to frustration for parents, faculty and administrators.

Iola High School Principal Scott Crenshaw thinks he knows a cure, or at least a plan to reduce the trouble caused by seniors who frequently skip school: Let them leave. But only if they can earn it.

Many schools throughout the state — including five of the seven in the Pioneer League — allow second-semester seniors to take only the courses they require for graduation, and then take the rest of the day off.

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