Truancy

Truancy is defined as an absence for an entire school day, a major portion of the school day or the major portion of any class, study hall or activity during the school day for which the student is scheduled.  

Annually, the Director of Schools/designee will provide written notice to parent(s)/guardian(s) that attendance at school is required. Students shall be present at least fifty percent (50%) of the scheduled school day in order to be counted present. Students may attend part-time days, alternating days, or for a specific amount of time as indicated in their Individualized Education Plan or 504 Plan and shall be considered present for school attendance purposes. If a student is required to participate in a remedial instruction program outside of the regular school day where there is no cost to the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the school district provides transportation, unexcused absences from these programs shall be reported in the same manner.

A student who is absent five (5) days without adequate excuse shall be reported to the Director of Schools/designee who will, in turn, provide written notice to the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student's absence. If a parent/guardian does not provide documentation within adequate time excusing those absences or request an attendance hearing, then the Director of Schools shall implement tier two of the progressive truancy plan described below prior to referral to juvenile court. 

Progressive Truancy Plan

Tier I of the progressive truancy plan shall apply to all students within the district and include schoolwide prevention-oriented supports to assist with satisfactory attendance. These supports shall include, but are not limited to, encouragement through daily announcements and reminders to attend school daily, #schooleveryday; set a weekly goal of 95% attendance rate school-wide and promote the weekly goal with the display chart and school-wide incentives for reaching the goal; Quarterly attendance awards for individual students that do not miss more than 2 days of school during the quarter’ end of year attendance awards; In-person and phone conferences with parents when students are absent.

Tier II of the progressive truancy plan shall be implemented after the student accumulates five (5) unexcused absences, but before referral to juvenile court, and includes the following:

1.  A conference with the student and the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s);

2.  An attendance contract, based on the conference, signed by the student, the parent(s)/guardian(s), and the Attendance Supervisor/designee. The contract shall include:

a.   A specific description of the school’s attendance expectations for the student;

b.  The period for which the contract is effective; and

c.   Penalties for additional absences and alleged school offenses, including additional disciplinary action and potential referral to juvenile court.

3.  Regularly scheduled follow-up meetings to discuss the student’s progress; and

4.  A school employee shall conduct an individualized assessment detailing the reasons a student has been absent from school. The employee may refer the student to counseling, community-based services, or other services to address the student’s attendance problems.

Tier III shall be implemented if the truancy interventions under Tier II are unsuccessful. Tier III shall consist of the following interventions: school-based conference with administration and/or referral to community-based truancy board. The interventions shall address students’ needs in an age-appropriate manner. Students may be referred to the Juvenile Court Judge for adjudication when truancy is not resolved through the progressive truancy intervention plan.