Quote:
|
Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr I too feel sorry for the mom even though I don't know all of the circumstances but she sounds like she could use a break and I am glad the judge is giving her another chance. I doubt she can afford a $600 fine...wowzers!!!!
Kimberley, I am just curious, in Texas, how many absences (and in what time period) does a child have to have to be taken to court and possibly fined? How many school days are there where you live? Does the school lose money when a child is absent?
I have four kids, a husband who works hard, a full time job myself, and I am the Secretary for the Middle School Foundation. I also have my daughter in a school outside our zone and because we live so far away we depend on "good" traffic everyday to make it on time. If the traffic is bad it doesn't matter how early you leave you will be late. She was late last friday due to an accident under the freeway overpass and even her teacher was late but it was not excused. Even with an involved husband and a teenager who drives it is hard to get everyone to and from their activities on time everyday. I feel like a full time taxi driver sometimes.
I totally agree with the need for kids to be in school regularly  but we are all human and I think humanity has to be part of the puzzle. We should look for solutions to problems and ways to help instead of jumping the gun to punish. I know if I am so sick I cannot drive, and there is no one to take the kids to school, they have had to stay home. I am sure that this mother wants the best for her kids and understands the need for a good education. 
Kimberley~ I am glad your first case was an easy one for you. Now you know what to expect.  |
You're right. She has a minimum wage job and cannot afford to pay the hefty fine.
The kids are allowed 18 absences (excused or unexcused)for the school year. We are in school for 180 days and students must be present 90% of the days. Once a kid has 3 unexcused absences, a statutory warning is signed by the parent. This more or less lets the parent know where the student is on unexcused absences. Once the child reaches 10 unexcused absences, the statutory warning is filed with the DA's office and a court date is set. Parents are served with a summons and if they don't show up and have been served, a Fail To Apprear warrant is issued. Fines are $300 + court costs but this judge is one to give a second chance and a second court hearing is set.
If a child has excused absences...let's say 12, and has parent notes or doctor's notes for these days, then we go by the 90% rule. As of today, school has been in session for 110 days. This child with 12 excused absences is not in compliance. Therefore, an attendance committee meets which consist of myself, our principal, vice principal and counselor. The attendance committee can then decide if doctor notes are required for all future absences. THEREFORE, kid gets sick, misses a day, must have doctor's note to excuse the absence. If a child does not have insurance, the parent can bring the child to the school to have our nurse check the child out. If the nurse sends the child home, then the absence is excused.
Yes, schools run by ADA money. If a child is absence, the school looses money for that child that day.
We take into consideration the parents whose child misses here and there. But these are the parents that have abused the system. They take advantage everywhere they can.
For example, there is a student with over 45 tardies. The judge does hear cases on excessive tardies. I have counseled with this parent, our counselor has counseled with her, she came to me for help because she wants to move out of the home she's in. I referred her to agencies that can help her, gave her phone numbers, filled out forms. She's still living there, has not contacted these agencies and her child was tardy again, this morning.
When is enough enough? Court is a last resort. We do try to work with the parents, find out what is going on, etc. Many of these kids come from very sad situations...they are victims.