The Wilkes County Board of Education will provide all pregnant and parenting students with the same educational instruction as other students or its equivalent. Pregnant and parenting students will not be discriminated against or excluded from school or from any program, class, or extracurricular activity because they are pregnant or parenting students. School administrators shall provide assistance and support to encourage pregnant and parenting students to remain enrolled in school and graduate.
In accordance with state law, school system officials shall use as needed, supplemental funds from the At-Risk Student Services allotment to support programs for pregnant and parenting students. Students who are pregnant or parenting will be given excused absences from school for pregnancy and related conditions for the length of time the students’ physicians find medically necessary. These absences include those due to the illness or medical appointment during school hours of a child of whom the student is the custodial parent. Homework and make-up work will be made available to pregnant and parenting students to ensure that they have the opportunity to keep current with assignments and avoid losing course credit because of their absence from school, and, to the extent necessary, a homebound teacher will be assigned.
Legal References: G.S. 115C-375.5
Cross References: Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying (policy 1710/4021/7230), Equal Education Opportunities (policy 4001), Attendance (policy 4400)
Adopted: September 9, 2013