With an eye to the realities of remote learning, the Bridgehampton School has recently revisited its absentee policy. Previously, more than 18 absences in a given course was marked as failing that course, but the number has been raised to 30.
Too many students would have failed based solely on the accumulation of absences, said Robert Hauser, school superintendent. "We have students, for whatever reasons, not able to log on to their scheduled classes, and they get marked absent," he explained. Allowing 12 extra unexcused absences gives students "flexibility," he said.
If a parent calls and says the child is not feeling well, Mr. Hauser said, then the parent has made the decision to keep the child home, and those absences do not contribute to the 30 count. "The same goes for in-person," he clarified, so as not to discriminate between either learning method.
Mr. Hauser recalled that at the start of the school year, especially in September and October, a number of students had connectivity issues or even Chromebook issues. So began the absence problem. As hard as the school tried, he said, it was a challenge to get Chromebooks to individual students at that time, not to mention set them up with their own Google accounts and make sure they were comfortable using the system. Then, when they were ready to log on, there would be Wi-Fi issues, Mr. Hauser said. "Some kids couldn't even get Wi-Fi, so we got them hot spots, but we didn't realize hot spots work off of cell service, so it would still be really weak."
It did not help that there was a two-month delay to get families help in setting up Optimum Online. Considering everything, "We felt it would be wise to give some leeway."
Mr. Hauser cited one high school class with 12 students. "Five out of 12 would have failed if we didn't change the attendance policy ╨ that's a little over 40 percent."
Starting tomorrow, all middle and high school grades will come off the hybrid schedule and be back in class. In recent months, the school has identified those among them who were at risk of failing. "Believe it or not," said Mr. Hauser, "when we were partially remote, we had to bring those students here full time. We said to them, you have to be here, because of attendance and the risk of going above the 30."
Attendance accounts for a certain percent of a grade. "If we have a situation where the overall grade is questionable, attendance will play a role . . . we really don't waver on the weight that attendance carries," the superintendent said.
In other Bridgehampton School news, the school's review for LEED certification is underway. In a Feb. 24 school board meeting, it was projected that the school would accrue the necessary "points" to be certified. "It just depends now as to the level" of certification, Mr. Hauser told the board.
"This is all new to us," he noted. "It's not like you just do something and get points and never do another thing." He cited, for example, roof maintenance as one ongoing process, and electric car-charging stations as another. "I didn't think anybody who worked for the school had an electric vehicle," he said. "We now have three employees hooked up."
Water efficiency, sustainability of building materials, energy and atmosphere, and the air quality indoors are among other categories considered in determining LEED classification.
Turning to questions of the school budget, the school will hold a public hearing on Wednesday at 7 p.m. to weigh the pros and cons of piercing the tax cap in next year's budget. Officials will present the latest 2021-22 budget proposal of $20.8 million, and will invite comments and suggestions from the community.
A maximum of 50 people will be allowed in the school's new gym for the forum, and a live-stream option will also be offered. More information can be found online at bridgehamptonschool.com.