The Holmdel Township School District released a statement today, March 22, regarding an incorrect statement released from Fox News.
The school district’s statement is as follows:
Today, a Fox News report suggested that a Holmdel High School student’s request for an exception to the Board of Education Regulation governing student attendance was denied.
The Fox News report that was posted online states: “On top of that, he said the school denied his request for an excused absence for his trip to the White House.”
The statement was false, according to the release from the Holmdel Township School District.
When learning of the invitation to attend a White House event, the student made a request of the Holmdel High School principal on Wednesday, March 20, according to the statement.
According to the statement, New Jersey’s compulsory education law (N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25 through 31)and related Department of Education regulations provide very few exceptions to attendance requirements, but the district’s attendance regulation does allow for an exception to be made in instances “deemed excused by the principal upon a written request by the student’s parent stating the reason for the absence and requesting permission for the absence to be an excused absence.”
Holmdel High School principal Brian Schillaci approved the request for an excused absence and communicated the approval to the student prior to the visit, according to the statement.
“I was pleased to be able to recognize this learning opportunity and approve the day for this student,” Schillaci said in the release. “As a district with a motto of ‘Innovate to Elevate,’ there was no question in my mind that this should be approved.”