Fairfax County considers proposal to allow absences for protests, rallies

Northern Virginia’s largest school district is discussing a proposal that would allow excusing an absence for middle and high school students who want to participate in protests, rallies and walkouts.

Fairfax County Public Schools board members are discussing the proposal’s impact, but still remain uncertain about implementing any new policy.

Fox 5’s Tisha Lewis reports there’s still no decision.  Board members are planning to revisit the issue on October 2, deciding to continue discussions on the impact of allowing students an excused absence to protest also known as a civic engagement policy.

Before making a decision, board members want to know: 

• A list of the district’s schools and their absenteeism status
• School districts nationwide that have adopted a similar policy
• The impact the proposal could have on chronic absenteeism

“Doing it for the whole day, that’s fine. It’s like a one time thing right? Honestly, it’s not a big deal to miss a day in high school,” said Mohammad Salim, a 2018 graduate from Fairfax County Public Schools.

The board feels differently about it and that seems to be the big challenge with moving forward with any civic engagement policy that would allow students an excused absence to participate in protest, rallies or walkouts.

Board members are weighing how to balance any new policy and at the same time address chronic absenteeism.

They’re also concerned about any negative impact, parents’ concerns, and how other school districts are handling students’ protesting. 

They did agree any potential excused absence for civic engagement purposes would have to be pre-approved and documented.

“We don’t do enough real world exchange in education,” said Alexandria resident Maria Babel.

“I can’t look at this changed language in the ideal optimism. I’m looking at this proposal, knowing it could create harm,” said board member Megan McLaughlin at a policy meeting Wednesday afternoon.

Montgomery County Schools in Maryland is having the same conversation. That school district deciding to table talks and keep its current policy in place — meaning students protesting remains an unexcused absence.