DeKalb School System Implements New State Mandated Truancy Policy

August 24, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Students in DeKalb County are now subject to new truancy guidelines as outlined in state law.

The bill, which went into effect July 1,  mandates how school districts across the state handle truant students.

Under the law, five unexcused absences now requires an “attendance contact meeting” between a school administrator and the student’s parent or guardian.

The purpose of the meeting will be to determine strategies to reduce the number of unexcused absences.

State truancy law did not previously require the meeting, and it permitted administrators to report unlawful attendance to county authorities after five unexcused absences if a parent and student failed to comply with attendance notices.

The bill also requires principals at the beginning of every year to “notify a child’s parent, in writing, that if the student is absent for an aggregate of five days during the school year without excuse, the child is subject to referral to juvenile court and that it is the parent’s responsibility to monitor the child’s school attendance.”

The measure, signed into law last year by Gov. Bill Haslam, is in an effort to reduce the number of truancy cases referred to Tennessee’s juvenile courts.

“It is basically a three tier approach to prevent truancy and keep students out of the court system as far as not attending school,” said Joey Reeder, Attendance Supervisor for the DeKalb County School System.

“In the past we have always sent out a letter after five unexcused absences and we will continue to do that but now when you get that five day letter you will have an appointed time to go to your child’s school for an attendance meeting. We will have a meeting and try to determine why your child is missing school and if there is anything we or you can do to help to get a grip on our attendance with children. If that approach doesn’t work then probably after seven absences there will be another meeting. It may be with the parents or just the student depending upon their age. If it is a high school student, we may not have the parents back. They will meet with our guidance counselors for an assessment to determine if there are underlying circumstances why they are not coming to school. Any student who doesn’t attend the meetings will automatically go to the next tier,” Reeder continued.

“Once a student gets into one of these three tiers, he or she will stay in that tier for the remainder of the year. You can’t start over. If you get to that third tier you will probably have to go to juvenile court. Its not something we want to do but we have to nip this in the bud,” added Reeder.

The three tier truancy policy for DeKalb County is as follows:

Tier I

Tier I of the progressive truancy intervention plan shall include the following:

A conference with the student and the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)

An attendance contract, based on the conference, signed by the student, the parent(s)/guardian(s), and an attendance supervisor or designee. The contract shall include:

A specific description of the school’s attendance expectations for the student;

The period for which the contract is effective; and

Penalties for additional absences and alleged school offenses, including additional disciplinary action and potential referral to juvenile court; and

Regularly scheduled follow-up meetings to discuss the student’s progress.

Tier II

If a student accumulates additional unexcused absences in violation of the attendance contract in Tier I, the student will be subject to Tier II.

Under this tier, a school employee shall conduct an individualized assessment detailing the reasons a student has been absent from school. The employee may refer the student to counseling, community- based services, or other services to address the student’s attendance problems.

Tier III

This tier shall be implemented if the truancy interventions under Tier II are unsuccessful.

These interventions shall be determined by a team formed at each school. The interventions shall address student needs in an age-appropriate manner. Finalized plans shall be approved by the Director of Schools/designee.

August 24, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Almost a year ago, the City of Smithville entered into a one year agreement with RiverWatch Golf & Resort to upgrade and maintain the golf course for a year.

The cost was over $70,000. With the agreement set to expire August 31 and the new owners of RiverWatch having decided to pass on renewing a deal, the aldermen have chosen to purchase golf course maintenance equipment as the city starts taking on the responsibility.

During a special meeting Thursday night, the aldermen voted to purchase a package of equipment from Abell Turf & Tractor of Georgia including mowers, tractor, and blower for $22,750 plus delivery costs to be paid from revenues generated in the city’s golf course fund. Another piece of equipment, a zero turn mower and spreader is expected to be bought from Tri Green Equipment for $10,000 under a state government bid contract to be funded from another line item of the budget, possibly parks and recreation.

Ken Lacy, manager of the golf course and swimming pool, recommended that the aldermen make this purchase as the city takes on the sole responsibility for maintaining the course.

“We can purchase this without having to amend the budget because we have enough money allotted in the golf course budget to buy equipment. We put money in the budget to cover RiverWatch before we knew they were not going to renew their contract and we have accumulated revenue in that fund from Golf Course receipts since April. That is enough to cover our equipment for the city to take over the golf course,” said City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson.

After the special meeting, Lacy informed the aldermen that the city swimming pool is in need of repairs to stop leaks. Lacy has contacted a company which is offering a performance contract to come and check the pool for leaks. According to Lacy, the company will review and diagnose the problem and provide an estimate on the repair costs.

August 24, 2018
By:

Employees at Shiroki North America recently participated in a 12 week worksite wellness challenge with the DeKalb County Health Department. During the 12 week challenge, employees learned about healthy eating, managing stress and learning how to enjoy their food, while eating less. Twenty-eight employees participated in this challenge and lost over 130 pounds as a group, with the top male and female receiving prizes for their efforts.

By taking on this challenge, Shiroki North America is encouraging their employees to live healthy and happy lives. This is the first year Shiroki has partnered with the DeKalb County Health Department to sponsor a worksite wellness challenge. DCHD Staff would like to congratulate everyone who participated.

If you have questions about the worksite wellness program or are interested in hosting your own, call the DeKalb County Health Department at 615-597-7599.

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