Adjusting to new teachers and classes won't be the only challenge for students in Cape Girardeau schools -- adjusting to a new attendance policy will probably rank at the top of the list.

The policy changes the number of approved absences from nine a semester to eight.

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education will adopt the attendance policy at its meeting tonight at 6 o'clock in Room 214 of the Vocational-Technical Building, 301 N. Clark.

The policy will apply to all grade levels and be phased in over a four-year period. The plan was developed to create consistency among district schools. Parents and teachers called for the change during community meetings last fall.

When the plan is complete, students will be required to attend classes 95 percent of the school year.

Although the change won't be much different for high school students who already had an attendance policy in place, it will be a challenge for elementary-age d children.

School is important and students need to be there, said Dr. Richard Bollwerk, assistant superintendent.

Many times, younger students miss school because of illness, but vacations and leaving early for holiday breaks are also culprit s.

If a student misses more than the allowed number of days, the policy can be appealed in certain cases, Bollwerk said. Students and parents can appear before an attendance review board with their appeals.

The school board also is expected to adopt a transportation waiver for students who live a mile from May Greene Elementary School.

Typically, the students walk to school but with road construction and projects in the area, safety was a concern. The board approved a similar waiver for the students last fall.

Cape Girardeau Board of Education

Tonight at 5;30

Vocational-Technical Building Room 214

Tax rate hearing

Regular meeting at 6