Students will not fail classes because they are out sick, Johnston County Schools Superintendent Ed Croom says.

A Johnston County parent complained on mync.com that her son was in danger of failing because he was out sick five days.

And more students have called out sick during the first part of the school year, possibly because of the flu and H1N1 virus, according to Croom.

The district's policy is that students cannot miss more than 16 days during the school year. That's about four days for a nine-week period. But principals can waive the policy, Croom said.

"It's a policy that is in place to make sure that we abide by the truancy laws. But it's also got quite a lenient twist to it where principals can waive that if the child is sick," he said.

A parent's note will suffice because not all students with flu-like symptoms are seeing a doctor, Croom said. If the school principal waives the policy, students can make up the work to complete their courses.

The process has worked for Joann Davis of Clayton. Her son missed four days of school because he got H1H1.

"They've been really working with us and they're allowing extra time for make up work and they do realize that this is an issue. So I think they are being a little bit more lenient on it," she said. "And I'm sure they don't want the children to come to school with the flu."

The mother who posted the complaint on mync.com has now met with the school principal, who waived the attendance requirement. And her son is also passing his classes.

Report cards go out next week. But grades are not final until the end of the school year, Croom said.

If you're concerned that your child has been out sick too many days, call the school principal. If that does not work, call the district's central office, Croom said.