GILROY
– Skip out on school and you could wind up a criminal.
Everyone’s heard the warnings that students who repeatedly miss
school eventually commit crimes. But the school district is warning
students that if they aren’t in class, as required by law, they
will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Not later
– now.
GILROY – Skip out on school and you could wind up a criminal.
Everyone’s heard the warnings that students who repeatedly miss school eventually commit crimes. But the school district is warning students that if they aren’t in class, as required by law, they will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Not later – now.
The district is taking a hard-line approach to truancy, led by Attendance Officer Frank Valadez and supported by a bevy of social services groups and the Santa Clara County District Attorney. Since taking over attendance four years ago, Valadez has added a second School Attendance Review Board of school and law enforcement personnel and sent more truants to court.
The process is simple, Valadez says, miss three days of school and receive notification that you are considered a truant. Miss five days of school and you’re a habitual truant, facing prosecution or a SARB hearing, where you will sign a contract requiring you to go to school and possibly requiring counseling. After nine absences, get ready for court.
On a recent Friday afternoon, Assistant District Attorney Lois Baer drove that message home to more than 100 students and parents. The truants, ages 13 and up, and their parents were required to attend the mediation, where Baer laid out the consequences they all face if they don’t change their ways.
“I’m an equal opportunity prosecutor,” Baer told an overflowing City Council chambers. “I’ll prosecute kids, I’ll prosecute parents – anyone who’s keeping kids from going to school. …
“Why is the District Attorney interested in truancy? We know the number one thing that links kids in juvenile hall – and in fact, number one thing that links people in the federal prison system – is a failed school experience.”
Both students and parents sat in rapt attention throughout Baer’s hour-long tongue-lashing. Some mothers and fathers shot their children disapproving glances.
At the end of the session, the students signed juvenile court reports, which, if they continue to miss school, will be signed by School Resource Officer Mike Terasaki and sent to the district attorney so the court process can begin.
“If the student does not improve attendance after they attend this mediation, they go directly to court,” Valadez said. “They don’t go through the (State Attendance Review Board) process.”
Most students, after attending such a mediation, change their ways, Baer told the group. Those who don’t will be seeing her again.
“You’ll see me again, but it will be in court,” she said. “There is no one who cares about you when you go to court. You don’t have a name, you are a number.”
Baer promised the students and parents that, should they go to court, “it will cost you money – that’s a promise.”
The fine will vary on the judge’s opinion of the student, she said, but even if it’s as little as $100, fees and penalties will bring it to at least $245. The judge also may take away or postpone driver’s licenses and assign community service like picking up trash along the freeway.
“The judge will give to you the number of community service hours that she thinks it will take to get the message across to you that it is just plain easier to go to school than to do the community service work,” Baer said.
Jail time also is a real possibility, Baer said, recounting the story of a mother who was sent to jail for having three habitually truant children.
“During the time she was in jail, when her kids were staying with her boyfriend, do you know what their attendance was like?” she asked. “Perfect.”
Representatives from the school district, school board and social service agencies like Community Solutions each briefly told the group what resources are available to help them get themselves or their children to school.
The best way to avoid truant status – and a mediation with Baer – is to go to school or excuse valid absences within five days.
After the five days are up, the absence remains unexcused, per state law. Too many parents have tried to clear dozens of old absences after getting the truancy letter, Valadez said.
GHS Parents, did you know …
Even if you excuse an absence for family trips, the state considers the absence unexcused and it will count against your child.
After excessive absences, your child could receive an attendance sheet for truants that must be signed by each teacher and go home every night and signed by parents.
GHS offers a 6:45 a.m. wake-up call for sleepy students.
Talk to Assistant Principal Mani Corzo for more information 848-7180.
