The State of Wisconsin defines Truancy under State Statute 118.163(d) as a pupil who is absent from school without an acceptable excuse under 118.15 and 118.16(4) for part or all of any day on which school is held during a school semester. Furthermore, Habitual Truancy is defined under 118.16(1)a as a pupil who is absent from school without an acceptable excuse for part or all of 5 or more days on which school is held during a school semester.
Now that you know the definitions, parents whose children who fall into one or both of the above categories may receive a written letter from the school addressing the unexcused absence. This letter helps to alert parents of the school's concern. It is within these absences, students tend to fall behind, placing them further and further from an education they so rightly need to be successful.
Calls and letters are intended to notify parents and students that corrective action is needed immediately. If corrective action is taken, then no contact by the School Resource Officer will be conducted. Should telephone calls and/or letters go unanswered and no improvement is made as to attendance, then municipal citations can be issued. Should a student continue to be habitually truant, then the school may file a truancy petition with Human Services asking for the County to become actively involved and court system to mandate the child to attend school. This of course, would not be needed should the family work with the school and get their child back into attendance.
Municipal Citations that are issued carry a mandatory court date. Truancy citations carry a bond if found guilty to not exceed $50, where as an Habitual Truancy citations carries a bond of less than $500.
Under another City Ordinance #11.118 Contribute to the Truancy of a child, parents and/or guardians can be issued citations for a role in the absence of the child. This usually occurs with elementary and some middle school age students. The bond for a violation of this ordinance is $109. It is understood that high school students because of their age, should be able to get to school on their own, without the active role of a parent as with much younger children.
Now that you know the definitions, parents whose children who fall into one or both of the above categories may receive a written letter from the school addressing the unexcused absence. This letter helps to alert parents of the school's concern. It is within these absences, students tend to fall behind, placing them further and further from an education they so rightly need to be successful.
Calls and letters are intended to notify parents and students that corrective action is needed immediately. If corrective action is taken, then no contact by the School Resource Officer will be conducted. Should telephone calls and/or letters go unanswered and no improvement is made as to attendance, then municipal citations can be issued. Should a student continue to be habitually truant, then the school may file a truancy petition with Human Services asking for the County to become actively involved and court system to mandate the child to attend school. This of course, would not be needed should the family work with the school and get their child back into attendance.
Municipal Citations that are issued carry a mandatory court date. Truancy citations carry a bond if found guilty to not exceed $50, where as an Habitual Truancy citations carries a bond of less than $500.
Under another City Ordinance #11.118 Contribute to the Truancy of a child, parents and/or guardians can be issued citations for a role in the absence of the child. This usually occurs with elementary and some middle school age students. The bond for a violation of this ordinance is $109. It is understood that high school students because of their age, should be able to get to school on their own, without the active role of a parent as with much younger children.
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