[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t took a nationally ranked Hays High water ski student for the Hays CISD board to make changes to its excused absence policy.

The Hays CISD school board passed a resolution last month stating that students participating in non-UIL events will no longer receive an unexcused absence on their record and instead will have the absence excused as if the student were participating in a UIL event.

According to school board member Merideth Keller, speaking on her own behalf, the creatio...