In part of an ongoing effort to end chronic absenteeism in Guthrie Public Schools, the City of Guthrie recently enacted an ordinance to address truancy.
The ordinance will allow local law enforcement officers to write tickets to parents of students under the age of 18. If the parent is found guilty, the municipal court would then levy punishment for the crime.
“We thank the City of Guthrie for their continued support. The partnership we enjoy toward our common goal of a better community is something we truly appreciate,” Superintendent Dr. Mike Simpson said.
The first offense carries a fine not to exceed $50. The second offense carries a fine not to exceed $100 and the fine for the third or subsequent offense shall not exceed $250. The guilty party would also be responsible for court costs. This is similar to state law but allows the City of Guthrie to have jurisdiction over the crime.
Simpson added, “The goal is not to levy fines, but rather to make sure our students are at school so they may receive the best education possible. There are many measures that we take to work with families before this measure would even be considered.”
Recent studies have shown that chronically absent kindergarteners scored 20 percent lower in reading and math in later grades with that gap growing, according to the school district. They further indicate chronically absent students are twice as likely to be retained in a grade and twice as likely to be suspended by the end of their seventh grade year.
Chronically absent third graders were less likely to be reading on grade level and Junior High students who are chronically absent are more likely to become high school dropouts.
Along with the City’s efforts, the school district as worked along side the Logan County District Attorney’s Office for the past two years in regards to truancy.
In texas the parents are jailed for this and then depending on how many times this happens the students are penelized too Good call Guthrie police dept In fact Good Job