SALINE CO., Ill.---A new truancy program has been developed by the Saline County State’s Attorney’s Office and the district Superintendents in response to the increasing number of truant students in Saline County.
According to State’s Attorney Michael Henshaw, truancy is an important issue to our schools, our communities, and to the State’s Attorney’s Office as well.
“Chronic student truancy not only deprives students of an education but also results in the schools losing funding necessary for their operation,” Henshaw stated.
Henshaw explained that students between the ages of 6 and 17 years are required to attend school every day, unless they are excused. Under the guidelines of the new program, when a student reaches three and six days of unexcused absences, the parents or guardians of the student are notified of their child’s truancy by the school. After nine days of unexcused absences, the parent or guardian will then receive a notification letter to appear before the Saline County Truancy Review Board. At this meeting, parents and students will be given the opportunity to discuss the issues which are causing the student’s truancy. The review board consists of a neutral hearing officer, the State’s Attorney, members of the student’s school administration, truancy officers, and community agencies that can provide the family with social services. All members of this board will assist the student and family in attempting to resolve the issues which are leading to the student’s truancy.
If after the Saline County Truancy Review Board meeting, the truancy persists, the parent or guardian will be charged with criminal charges. Illinois Law (105 ILCS5/26-10) provides that it is a Class C Misdemeanor for a parent or caregiver to contribute to the truancy of a minor. Violation of this law carries a maximum fine of $500.00 and 30 days in the Saline County Detention Center.
According to Henshaw, the focus of the truancy program is not to punish parents or guardians for the chronic truancy of their children. Rather it is to encourage communication with the child’s school about the issues which lead to the truancy and to participate in the services offered to the family.
“The district Superintendents and their respective schools are here to help your child succeed academically and are committed to doing so,” Henshaw said.