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Parents of Sumter County Schools' Students Held Accountable for School Attendence
Georgia School Law mandates school attendance for all students under age 16 and closely defines "excused absences." Professionals at Sumter County Elementary School and other Sumter County Schools have created an Attendance Support Team (AST) to monitor student attendance. "It is my expectation that all students at Sumter County Elementary learn at the highest level possible," said Valerie Roberts, principal of the school. "Daily school attendance is vital if we are to reach this goal. My team and I are committed to making every effort to ensure that all students receive the quality education they deserve." Written notification of student absences begins after the third unexcused absence. A letter is printed and sent to parents or individuals responsible for the student's attendance. Additional letters also are mailed after the fifth absence. According to the district's "Principals' Response to Absenteeism," teachers and the school team will continue notifying the student's home after absence 17 and beyond. A telephone call is made to the student's documented number after every absence. Some Sumter County Schools have automated telephone systems to alert parents of student absence. After the fifth unexcused absence, priority of contact with the parent increases. The AST calls parents to initiate a meeting. If "no response" continues, the team initiates a meeting from Coach Jimmy Green, the district's truancy officer. After this third level of attendance correction fails, the case is turned over to the Juvenile Court and DFACS. On the sixth unexcused absence, the intervention moves to giving additional warning to the student's parents or responsible adults. At the 10th unexcused absence, the AST presents the ongoing case to Chief Magistrate Shirley S. Duke of the Sumter County Magistrate Court, who sets a court appearance date. The school's principal, school counselors, and school attendance officer, along with the parent or responsible adult who has maintained "no resolution" of the attendance issue, appear before the judge. "I am always kept abreast of the ongoing issues with each student who continues to be absent from Sumter Elementary School," said Roberts. "From the first letter, the first phone call, on up to the Magistrate Court appearance, our attendance team lets me know of the proceedings." After the court appearance, Judge Duke issues orders as mandated by the School Attendance Laws of the State of Georgia. The fine can be up to $100 per day/per absence and/or incarceration. At the most recent court proceedings, Judge Duke ordered the jailing of two parents from separate families. Both were led from the courtroom by law enforcement officers. "There is no discrimination in executing this Georgia law," said Roberts. "There is no variance as to protocol. We are making parents accountable for their actions in requiring children to be in school." |
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