Schools

CCSD Computer Glitch Alarms Families

Automated parent-notification system mistakenly sent families a notice that students had already compiled 10 unexcused absences this school year.

A computer glitch gave the families of some 4,000 Cobb County high school students a scare about unexcused absences and suspended driver’s licenses Thursday night.

The automated parent-notification system mistakenly sent those families a notice that the students had compiled 10 unexcused absences this school year, costing them their driving privileges for the next year.

Thursday was the 18th school day of the year.

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“We would like to work with you to improve your child's attendance,” read a notice emailed to a family. “Please contact us if there is any way that we can assist in this process.”  

“The problem was not on our end,” school system spokesman Doug Goodwin said Friday. He said the problem in the notification system has been corrected.

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“Please disregard any messages you may have received,” the school district said in a message posted on its Facebook page. “We apologize for the inconvenience.”

Goodwin didn’t have the list of affected schools available but said about 4,000 of the incorrect notices went out by email or phone.

“Our records indicate that your child has accumulated at least ten (10) unexcused absences in the current academic year. Your child has violated the Georgia's Drivers License/School Attendance Law requirements contained in the Cobb County Board of Education attendance policy,” the emailed notice read. “A certificate of non-compliance has been submitted to the Department of Drivers Services; as a result your child's driving privileges will be revoked for one calendar year.”

No certificates were actually sent to the DDS, Goodwin said. “It was solely an issue with the software that was used.”

 

The writer is the father of a Wheeler High School senior.


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