DeKalb students will no longer need a doctor’s statement for up to five days of personal illness, the school board decided last week.

The board adopted a policy on final reading Thursday night that allows students to bring a note from a parent for up to five personal illnesses. The new policy will not go into effect until the beginning of the 2017-18 school year.

Current policy requires a doctor’s statement for all student absences due to illness. Without a statement from a physician, these absences will not be excused.

Attendance Supervisor Joey Reeder stressed that the new policy only covers personal illness.

“This is for a personal illness. This is not for a sibling’s illness, a parent’s illness, or a trip to Disney World. It’s for the child, himself or herself, being sick.” Reeder informed. A doctor’s statement will still be required after the fifth day of personal illness.