TITLE
Recommendation to request to receive and file report from the City Prosecutor on current issues related to truancy, including, but not limited to truancy rates and state legislation.
DISCUSSION
A truant is a student that has been absent for a particular number of days in a school year without a valid excuse. Truancy, which can be part of a much larger problem for an individual student, is a major concern for schools and their administrative districts. There are both officers and programs within the Long Beach Unified School District that deal specifically with truants. Missing school can affect a student's education, and for serious offenders getting caught can mean citations and legal issues. For school districts, significant rates of truancy can affect the amount of grant funding its schools receive.
This topic is currently in widespread discussion, with the passage of Senate Bill 1317, which makes it a misdemeanor for children from kindergarten to 8th grade to miss more than 10% of the school year. In extreme cases, the parents of these students may face fines and the possibility of jail time.
Long Beach's City Prosecutor, Doug Haubert, has been working closely with involved parties on this issue. It is appropriate that Mr. Haubert brief the City Council on the most recent discussions of and issues with truancy.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
PATRICK O'DONNELL
COUNCILMEMBER, FOURTH DISTRICT