Change Katy Independent School District's Attendance Policy Regarding Funerals

As a retired school district risk manager, I am appalled by the actions of the Katy ISD to penalize and threaten a child for a one day absence to attend his cousin's funeral. It is arrogant and inappropriate for the school district to determine who is important in a child's life. This is best left to the family. As a retired school district risk manager, I am aware of the problem of truancy, but this is not a case of truancy and should not be treated as such. What kind of values are being taught in this district?

Please change your funeral policy and allow parents to make the decision about their family. Compassion should rule in situations of this nature. Please amend your policy and make it tetroactive. Thank you.

Bridging the school/home relationship requires empathy and compassion, especially in a family tragedy such as this.

A funeral is a funeral.And i dont care,that is still a family member.

compassion is the first thing you learn as an educator. Where is your compassion?

This is insane and taking school and government requirements too far. Have a heart and some compassion for the situation!

This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard the school system decisions about this should not even come into play. We as family should decide what our children do. SHAME ON YOU KISD!!!!

The school needs to educate our children, and let US, the PARENTS raise them! Do what you are paid for, and let US raise our babies! Sheesh! ALL of my family is IMPORTANT to me and my children. How dare you tell me which one member is more inportant than another in the structure in my family network!

Please reevaluate your policy on excused absences of your students. Let the parents make the decision on what is best for their child. Common sense folks, common sense

Please reevaluate your policy on excused absences of your students. Let the parents make the decision on what is best for their child. Common sense folks, common sense

Parents are responsible for their children's education and formation. The public school system is just a tool to be used by the parents. The government and public school system should not be dictating family's actions.

I lost my dad my freshman year of college. My entire family that lived in the area (including some from out of town) attended his funeral. It is unconscionable to have this policy. I know that had it been my uncle that I had been going to the funeral for, my university would have excused me from classes. Your school policy is insane.

In a case such as this, the greater travesty on the well being of the student would have been to mandate his attendance at school. When it comes to death and dying, parents surely know their children better than a school board regulation.

This policy seems geared more toward lining the pockets of KISD with more attendance days instead of the well being of the child. Shame on you, KISD, for putting the family through this unnecessary threat instead of supporting them in their time of grief.

Parents should be able to make this decision. I have a lot more to say, but it comes down to that.

Putting this family through more hardship behind your ridiculous policy is morally repugnant, KISD. Have some basic human compassion, make an exception in this instance, and rectify the phrasing of your policy so that something like this never becomes an issue again.

please reconsider this district policy. It does not reflect well on the the Katy ISD administration and staff to penalize families during tragedies.

Some family's are actually close. I consider my cousins as very close family.... This is a sad situation.. Are school administrators Nazi's?

We are a very diverse community. Our policies should reflect that fact. My kids are as close to their cousins as they are to their siblings.

I think parents should decide which funeral a child attends or not. This is ridiculous! Prayers to the family.