UPDATE 4-20-2011: County Board sent ordinance back to committee for a re-write.
Other Questions: Have some other cities/counties tried this? What are their experiences? Some specific studies naming the communities which passed such ordinances and their findings should be presented.
Would there be any additional costs to enforcing such an ordinance? Are these county or district costs? If the two school districts want this, did each of the boards pass a resolution requesting the ordinance?
Why the rush to pass this ordinance now? Enforcement can’t really begin until the new school year. Can some questions be answered first?
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2 comments:
When you are forced to stay someplace you don't want to be, what is your attitude and emotional state? I know how it makes me feel. I can only imagine how it will affect the youth who are forced to remain in school and worse yet, the effect of their attitudes on those who are there because they want to learn. There are at least equally good ways that don't force square pegs into round holes. If you are going to fine anyone, fine parents and do it honestly. There are already laws on the books. In my unprofessional and personal opinion, we don't need another one. They say officers won't just stop every kid they see driving, but how will they know which ones are truant and which ones are on their way to another school or doctor appointment, etc., unless they DO stop them? I totally agree we need to be ultra-vigilant against gangs, especially inside the schools, but I don't think this is the way or the means.
It was indicated that a court appearance would be required. Does this mean that a student would have to miss school to attend a court date? Is that an excused absence?
I am assuming that the student would be charged with an Ordinance violation. Which of the following categories does this ordinance fall into: criminal charge, civil charge, quasi-criminal charge or quasi-civil charge? Would a jury trial be required, if the student requested it? If the student demanded an attorney but could not afford one, would we have to appoint one?
What would happen in cases of multiple violations?
What other remedies could be made available instead of a fine?
Would there be any way for a student to have the citation removed, besides the automatic sealing upon age of majority?
Can truancy violations be used as “history” if other ordinance violations occur at a later date (ex. jaywalking) or vice versa?
Can tardiness be considered truancy? If no, then what constitutes truancy?
What other steps are the districts taking to address truancy? What are the districts attendance policies? What is considered an excused vs. unexcused absence?
Is it or is it not true that truancy is often a symptom of a much larger “social or familial” problem? How then does a fine, address the underlying issues? Bullying, peer pressure, abuse, financial constraints, etc.
When can citations be issued? Does the citation have to be issued at the time of the event or can the citation be issued later? For example, can the student be mailed the citation in response to an absence? Especially if this would be considered an ordinance violation. Who is the complaining party?
The state indicates that a student must be absent for 15 days to be considered a chronic truant. It would be at this point that legal action could be pursued. BUT, doesn't a school district or regional district have the ability to implement non-legal actions for truancy before they reach the 15 absences mark?
Is there a way to define truancy as “without parental or guardian permission?” One of my biggest issues is that this challenges parental authority in making familial decisions.
How would it be determined that a student is out of school without permission?
What would prevent an officer from sitting near a school entrance and ticketing students entering or leaving the school (with and/or without parental approval)? I recall that the state claimed they would not pull people over for driving without seatbelts too.
What happens if a student is cited, the parent claims they called but the school has no record?
What happens if a parent calls the child in sick and the child is cited?
Homeschooled kids. Kids from other districts. Early gradautes. How about those who just happen to look young? Its possible that they will get stopped just because of their apearance. Are they gonna have to carry ID on them at all times now.
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