On August 7, auditor Tom Schweich returned to present his follow up on the 2011-2012 audit. Based on his findings over incorrect attendance records, the district is now counting 1st Hour tardies as absences. Students who are late to school are considered absent until they bring in an excused note. Since this is a state mandate, this change also applies to middle and elementary schools.

Rockwood and other Missouri districts are required to count “seat time” for each student. Seat time is the minutes that students are in class and seated. If the minutes absent add up to a complete class period, then it will show a single period absence for 1st Hour on Infinite Campus.

Therefore, according to the Rockwood website, “Students will be considered absent if they report to school after the
established start time.  No longer will the student be considered tardy if they arrive after school begins.  This new practice aligns
with state requirements for reporting school absences.”

At 8:16 a.m., all doors will be locked with the exception of the main entrance. Students will check in at the welcome center and receive a pass to go to their class. The sign-in sheet will be cataloged in the attendance records as necessary for the district.

Senior Christine Schierholz said, “I don’t like it because you’re not absent, you’re tardy. So, it should count as a tardy.”

Despite the new policy, Lafayette teachers will apply the tardy policy to first hour absences.

“I don’t think it will have a huge impact on students,” Assistant Principal Mandy Lewis said.

Junior Sam Walker said, “It’s a little strict but in the long run it’ll really help us.”