TRUANCY - UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
Regular attendance by the students at school is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program. Parents and students alike are encouraged to ensure an absence from school is a necessary absence. Students shall attend school unless excused by the principal of their attendance center.
Truancy is the failure to attend school for the minimum number of days established in the school calendar by the board. Truancy is the act of being absent without a reasonable excuse. Truancy will not be tolerated by the Board.
Students are subject to disciplinary action for truancy including suspension and expulsion. It shall be within the discretion of the principal to determine, in light of the circumstances, whether a student may make up work missed because of truancy.
The truancy officer of the school shall investigate the cause for a student's truancy. If the truancy officer of the school is unable to secure the truant student's attendance, the truancy officer should discuss the next step with the administration. If after school board action, the student is still truant, the truancy officer shall refer the matter over to the county attorney.
The school will participate in mediation if requested by the county attorney. The building principal shall represent the school district in mediation. The school district will monitor the student's compliance with the mediation agreement and will report violations of the mediation agreement to the county attorney.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy. The administrative regulations shall indicate the disciplinary action to be taken for truancy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299 (1995).
281 I.A.C. 12.2(4).
Cross Reference: 206.3 Secretary
410.3 Truancy Officer
501 Student Attendance
503 Student Discipline
504 Student Activities
506 Student Records
Approved: 4/14/97 Revised: 6/22 Reviewed: 6/22