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Missing and Absent Children

The Board believes in the importance of trying to decrease the number of missing children. Therefore, efforts will be made to identify possible missing children and notify the proper adults or agencies.


A Student at the time of his/her initial entry to school shall present to the person in charge of admission any records given to him/her by the elementary or secondary school s/he most recently attended and a certification of birth issued pursuant or a comparable certificate or certification issued pursuant to the statutes of another state, territory, possession, or nation. These documents can be used in place of birth certificate:

  1. a passport or attested transcript showing the date and place of birth of the child; 
  2. an attested transcript of a birth certificate;
  3. an attested transcript of a baptism certificate or other religious record showing the date and place of birth of the child;
  4. an attested transcript of a hospital record showing date and place of birth, or
  5.  a birth affidavit.

Within twenty-four (24) hours of the Student's entry into the school, a school official shall request the Student's official records from the elementary or secondary school s/he most recently attended.  If the school the Student claims to have most recently attended indicates that it has no records of the Student's attendance or the records are not received within fourteen (14) days of the date of request, or the Student does not present a certification of birth or comparable certificate or certification from another state, territory, possession, or nation, the Principal shall notify the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction in the area where the Student resides of this fact and of the possibility that the Student may be a missing child, as this term is defined in State Law.


The Principal will also immediately give notice of the fact of a missing child to the Attorney General’s missing children clearinghouse.  The Principal will also assist Parents in the case of a missing Student by coordinating with the missing children clearinghouse. 


Informational programs for Students, Parents, and community members relative to missing children issues and matters are available from the Principal, including information regarding the fingerprinting program.  The Principal informational programs are based on assistance and materials provided by the Attorney General’s missing child education program. 


The primary responsibility for a Student’s attendance at School rests with his/her Parent(s) or guardian(s).  Parent(s)/guardian(s) must notify the School on the day a Student is absent unless previous notification has been given in accordance with school procedure for excused absences. The Principal is also required to notify a Student's Parents, custodial Parent, guardian, legal custodian, or other person responsible for him/her when the Student is absent from school.  The Parent or other responsible person shall be notified by telephone or written notice shall be mailed on the same day that the Student is absent.  Parents or other responsible persons shall provide the School with their current home and/or work telephone numbers and home addresses, as well as emergency telephone numbers.