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Exam policy poses health risks for students

Re: "Perfect' rule flawed? May 20, 2005.

As the parent of a 2005 graduate and a rising 10th-grader in Hillsborough County schools, I am opposed to the current exam exemption policy.

My children suffer from asthma, a chronic respiratory condition requiring lifelong treatment and management. This policy discriminates against them in two ways. First, they are statistically more likely than the average student to become ill during the school year because of their weakened respiratory systems. Thus, they miss more school days, which is beyond their control. Secondly, a policy that encourages others to attend when they are ill can be life-threatening and even fatal for them. They both became severely ill this past flu season, which I believe was the direct result of this policy, since they spend the vast majority of their waking hours in school with many students who are ill and should not be in attendance.

I have had numerous conversations about this policy over the past few years with teachers and administrators across the county with whom I am acquainted. They unanimously agreed that this policy does little or nothing to motivate the chronically absent student to attend, yet penalizes good students by its inflexibility with respect to serious illnesses, family emergencies, etc.

Veterans of the school system, parents and employees alike, recognize that the real reason this policy exists is to increase the funds received from the federal government for schools. Schools are paid a certain dollar amount, per day, per student in attendance. Fewer absences result in more money.

I believe if exam exemptions are to be allowed at all, they should be based on an A grade in the class and not attendance. I understand the reasons this policy is popular with students. However, I don't make parental and family decisions based on what is popular with my children - should the School Board?

The School Board should immediately re-examine this policy, as it could be the source of legal action against them for its discriminatory nature and its cavalier treatment of those with chronic illnesses.

Planting trees in medians creates a safety hazard

I would like to make a few comments regarding the huge palm trees on medians mentioned in your article (What's Brewing May 13, 2005). I spent 40 years in the safety business, and we were trained to look for hazards.

First of all, I love oak trees. I have three oaks on my property, but they are in my yard, not in the middle of streets. Oak trees in the middle of roads can kill people.

I'm not against the new landscaped medians being done by the city, but let's stick with small bushes and plants, not palms and oak tress. Most of these places are in 35 mph zones, and often people go over the limit, which reduces reaction time should something happen.

J.C. "Bummie" Townsend, Guernsey Estates

[Last modified May 26, 2005, 08:26:10]