Simple answer...No. You should not confirm or deny the student is in attendance at your institution, and even more importantly, whether or not they are present that specific day. Students right to privacy is crucial to uphold. Think of FERPA as the HIPPA of education.
You should first check your system of record to see if the student has a FERPA release form on file and determine who he/she has permitted to have access to educational information (if anyone). You should do this with in the most careful way to ensure you have not indirectly confirmed the student is/is not in attendance at your institution (I would do this by placing the individual on hold after obtaining there name and any other self identifying information your school keeps on file for students with FERPA release forms ). Once confirmed there is a release on file for that person you may now speak to them.
