A group of local parents have taken to GoPetition.com to air their grievances about school attendance policy.

Of the concerned parents complaints are the current attendance policy, "eliminates the rights of the parent to make essential, responsible decisions for their children, and oversteps the school’s power to intervene with the responsible decision-making capabilities and basic rights of the family." The petition goes on with six points of concern. The concerns range from, "children afflicted with minor fever-inducing illnesses or chronic health conditions..." who might miss the over alloted of unexcused absences to the "policy may put the well-being of sick and or well children at risk."

Another very valid point of concern is that, "Approximately one quarter of Horry County residents do not have health insurance. Uninsured parents who feel their child’s sickness warrants a trip to the doctor, are taking their child to the doctor with the understanding that they will be required to pay medical bills out-of-pocket." 

Startig at page 83 of The Horry County School's Policy Manual, the unexcused absence policy reads as follows: 

Upon three consecutive or five total unlawful absences, the principal or his/her designee will immediately attempt to establish contact with the parent to arrange a conference. During this conference, the principal or his/her designee will develop a written plan with the parent to insure that the parent, the student, and the school have an understanding regarding the future attendance of the student. If after such a conference is held, the student is unlawfully absent again, he/she will be immediately referred to the District’s Attendance Coordinator. The Attendance Coordinator may refer the student to Family Court for a motion for court-ordered attendance. No student who is lawfully absent will be referred.

Read Horry County School's Policy Manual here. 

Currently the petition has over 700 signatures, read the full petition here.