Van Buren HS Semester Exams Waived If Passing

The Van Buren School system has waived student attendance requirements for semester exams.

Before, students with perfect attendance and a passing grade were exempt from semester exams. Now, all students with passing grades are not required to take the exams. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said with the pandemic, the attendance policy was unfair.

“The principal and the assistant principal contacted me and said it really is not fair for the kids,” Cole said. “If they have been exposed to somebody, and they quarantine, they should not have to take it if they are in good standing.”

Cole said teachers also voiced concerns of students missing days and not being exempt. Students who are not passing will still have a chance to take semester exams to bring their grade up. The Board of Education unanimously passed the new guidelines during Wednesday’s meeting.