Agreed. If a kid has their parent's permission to be absent, that should be the end of it from the school's perspective. The superintendent has the right idea, but he overstepped his authority in that case.
I gave my daughter permission to miss school so she could experience the joy of watching soap operas.
I gave my daughter permission to miss school so she could experience the joy of shopping.
I gave my daughter permission to miss school as she didn't feel like going.
The child wasn't absent, she showed up for a demonstration. Perhaps if the parent agreed to pay for what the school spent on her child's education that day they can excuse the absence. The prom is still out though.