This year’s discipline rollout introduced a new attendance policy that brought concern across the student body. Throughout the school year, Titans have only 12 excused absences and three unexcused absences (including partial absences) before parents/guardians are notified and students have to meet with an administrator to sign an attendance contract.

   “The 12 days doesn’t necessarily trigger discipline, it triggers us trying to figure out what’s going on,” Assistant Principal Michael Gizzo said. 

   The attendance contract is meant to be a conversation between a student and an administrator to figure out the reasoning behind absences and to ensure future attendance. 

   This rule was brought on by concern for the school’s funding and was the aftermath of concern for students’ ability to be present to lectures freshly post-covid.

   “We get funding based on kids being in seats,” Assistant Principal Gannon Burks said. If students continue to be absent, the state may be forced to cut funding for the next school year. If funding is cut the school won’t be able to afford the things students need to succeed like new desks, textbooks and chrome books.

   “Our push is really that we want us to get back together to get back to school in the best way that we possibly can,” Principal Richard Nash said. 

   The district and the PHS administrators are concerned about students’ well-being and grades when they are not present in class. The attendance contract is also part of an effort to make sure parents know their children are being cared for. 

   Teachers and staff noticed that most students who were chronically absent were failing their classes. The attendance regulations were created to help students succeed this school year.