Attendance Policy Keeps Some Students Out Of Prom

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- More than 120 students from a southwest Louisville high school will not be allowed to go to prom, but school officials say that's the price they pay for cutting school.

Watch The Story

For the last two years at Pleasure Ridge Park High School, an attendance policy has been in place: cut class and you will be cut from the prom list.

But some parents say the school needs to cut the students some slack.

Patrick Muehl, 17, already bought his suit. He has shoes to match and cufflinks for his shirt, but it will all stay in his closet prom night.

Muehl is not allowed to take part in the high school tradition because he missed too many days from school.

"It's a day before prom," said Rhonda Muehl, Patrick's mother. "We bought the suit and now I find out he can't go but I was never contacted by the school."

Kaitlyn Wagner's red dress will also remain on its hanger. She, too, is not allowed to dance with her fellow students at the Olmsted Saturday night.

"She was aware of the policy but we weren't aware she was missing school," said David Wagner, Kaitlyn's father. "The school did nothing to report it to us."

PRP Principal David Johnson said the school instituted a policy that if a student misses six or more unexcused days, they will miss out on their prom. Signs hang throughout the school reminding students.

Johnson said they also send reminders to parents.

Looking at the 36 different days his daughter cut school, David Wagner said Kaitlyn battled depression. She has a doctor's note to prove it, and they gave it to the school a few weeks ago.

But the principal said the policy is black and white. Letters must be given the day after an absence and there are no exceptions for anyone.

"It's a life event," said David Wagner said. "She's sad she's going to miss it."

"We are dealing with responsibility," Johnson said. "Just happens it's prom time."

Johnson said he feels awful students are missing the high school staple of prom, but he hopes the students who will be missing out will set an example for the underclassmen.