JMCSS committee meets to discuss rise in truancy
JACKSON, Tenn. — Committee members meet to discuss the high rise in numbers this year concerning school absences.
“It’s two things that we’re talking about. You have truancy and then you have chronic absenteeism. The state combined those and we have gotten that separated. Actually, Dr. Franklin was gracious enough to get that done on short notice. With the numbers, 291 students have already missed 5 days of unexcused absences,” said Harvey Walden, district 4 position 1 board member.
The Education Vision Committee met at the central office to discuss the increase of absent students.
Walden, told the members that they are working to decrease that number.
“We have wonderful schools. We have so many things going on that are so positive and even like Judge Little said, you know, she had some of our students in court last night doing a mock trial. We have wonderful children. And even the children that are truant, they’re great kids, but they’re kids,” said Walden.
Dr. Shalonda Franklin presented a truancy framework PowerPoint for the committee to have a better understanding of the different tiers or levels to a child being on the truancy list.
“One thing that came out of this meeting today, if you have a child that just doesn’t come to school because they don’t want to, you’re gonna have a knock at the door. It’s coming,” said Walden.
Walden told us that they understand that situations come up in the home that causes children to miss school.
“A lot are sick, life goes on. So it could be a death in the family. A lot of things happen and those are excused absences. The ones that we are concerned about right now and are targeting say, ‘He should’ve got there.’ We had a case last year where someone was taken off the bus from fighting and that child was very young. The parent said, ‘You need to get yourself to school. It’s your responsibility.’ They missed the last six weeks of school. It’s not the child’s responsibility, it’s the parents. And that’s the knock on the door that’s coming,” said Walden.
The next meeting is scheduled for September 10.
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