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About three dozen area school officials, law enforcement agency reps and professionals who work to promote and keep track of public school attendance, gathered at the Chisago County Public Safety Center meeting room over the summer to coordinate anti-truancy efforts.

Chisago County Attorney Janet Reiter emphasized the goal is to make sure everyone understands the protocol outline and they aim to re-engage at-risk students without courts involvement whenever possible.  

School-based interventions when a student is identified as being on the cusp of truancy should be the first resort.  

Being truant is tied to an unexcused absence. In this area, seven unexcused absences in a school year (counted as days for little ones, in school class periods for older kids) are the threshold. 

In Chisago County, a student age 15 to 17 is required to participate in an attendance intervention meeting at five unexcused absences.  The AIMs are held monthly at the county government center and parents or guardians are called in to attend as well.   

The program held at the public safety room in mid-August featured a video presentation by the executive director for the Center for Youth and Families based in Forest Lake, with whom the county contracts for juvenile services.

Tim Cryer reviewed the "Every Day Matters’ protocol outline and it was stressed that even excused absences may have a negative impact on learning.  Research has shown a correlation between not attending classes and unwanted outcomes like delinquent behavior, involvement in crime etc.  

There also is the motivation to keep youth protected through enforcing attendance standards. The child who does not show up for school oftentimes is more likely to suffer abuse or be maltreated.

The local system differentiates between educational neglect, that is the result of bad choices by parents who are unwilling or unable to meet educational needs of the youth — and truancy attributed to the student who skips class independently. 

The criteria to evaluate the situations vary for youth,  age 11 and younger and youth 12 to 18 years of age.

Local officials reviewed the “protocol” in place this school year for students in Chisago Lakes, Rush City, North Branch and that applied to any pupil residing in Chisago County.

Everybody was reminded absenteeism is a shared responsibility.

The county attorney staff will get involved when there is need for a civil petition or a criminal citation tied to the student’s situation. The county Health & Human Services workers have a role if there is potential neglect or abuse found.  This department’s mission is to protect the youth and facilitate helpful resources.

Officers representing police and sheriff agencies  will meet with youth who exhibit  truant behavior and assess their potential for successfully avoiding the court system.

When early intervention is called for (even prior to the seven absences) school staff, social workers, youth programs are in position to address root causes like substance abuse, economic drawbacks, lack of transportation, and other possible factors behind why the youth is not making it to school.

When a case gets to the level of absences that meet state law for truancy, the court will order interventions and supervision may be initiated, with review hearings every 30 to 45 days if necessary.  Child Protective Services involvement may be warranted.

The State of Minnesota is serious about reducing truancy. There are numerous legitimate reasons acceptable for an absence but the state has also ruled out oversleeping, needing to babysit, going on vacation, and many other excuses.  There are emergencies, religious activities, and appointments that can be pre-approved for an absence.  To avoid misunderstandings families in the districts in Chisago County are encouraged to call the youth’s school and learn what is allowed.  The truancy response protocol used locally is posted on the Chisago County website chisagocountymn.gov 

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