Students who score repeated absences in Lawrence County schools will face strict rules and penalties this school year.

Tuesday, August 29, 2000

Students who score repeated absences in Lawrence County schools will face strict rules and penalties this school year.

Lawrence County Educational Service Center board leaders approved a countywide attendance policy Monday night.

The policy, mandated by state law, summarizes measures for dealing with truant schoolchildren, including what measures must be taken to involve parents and the juvenile court system.

It outlines how many unexcused absences students can accumulate before action is taken, county superintendent Harold Shafer said.

For example, after three unexcused absences, notices are mailed to parents by the principal that requests parents contact the school. After six absences parents are required to meet with school officials.

The policy also defines "habitual truant" and "chronic truant" for purposes of juvenile court. Truant children can be charged with unruly or delinquent offenses.

"I think this is a very tough truancy policy," Shafer said. "Schools and courts are committed to following it to the letter."

The policy was developed after superintendents and principals meetings this summer. The county prosecutor’s office and juvenile court also worked with school officials on the policy.

The goal is to keep children in school where they can learn, county school board members said.

And it will keep children out of the court system, Shafer said.

Several schools already had attendance policies similar to the new one but favor the standard, and tougher, guidelines, he said.

School board members approved the policy, making it retroactive to Aug. 1.

In other action Monday, the board:

– Approved four school bus drivers. Larry D. Rase and Glenna Jenkins will drive for Rock Hill. Darlene G. Fuller and Roger Camp will drive for Fairland.

– Proceeded with plans to buy school employee health insurance as part of a group.

The consortium has reviewed plans and formed a central committee, which requested the county school board serve as fiscal agent, Shafer said.

All schools can be covered by the insurance plan, which should be at better rates, he said.

The Ohio Education Association and the Ohio Association of Public School Employees agree with the group plan, too, Shafer said.

"We should be getting better insurance for at least as much, if not cheaper, than what we’re paying now."

– Set the next regular meeting of the board for Sept. 25.