FMCSD has new focus on truancy

FOCUSED ON PREVENTION

Teachers, support staff, and administration are all working together to support students and families who struggle with attendance. Our focus is on prevention.”

Dr. Erin Slater, FMCSD Superintendent

FORT MADISON – A renewed focus is underway to get truant students back in the classroom in Fort Madison.
The Fort Madison Community School District has been working with the Lee County Attorney’s office to hold parents accountable for children missing from school.
Several parents have been arrested this year for what is called “Compulsory Education Violation”, most of those being parents who fail to appear in N. Lee County Court on the truancy violations.
Fort Madison Superintendent Dr. Erin Slater said there is a renewed focus under way to bring truancy in line in Fort Madison.
“Yes. Chronic absenteeism and truancy are indicators of a school district's academic performance profile in the state of Iowa,” Slater said.
“We are working to address these issues throughout our district."
In 2024, the Iowa legislature passed Senate File 2435, which defines chronic absenteeism as missing more than 10% of school days in a grading period. The law requires schools to address attendance issues early on and poor attendance may lead to school engagement meetings and, eventually, intervention with the county attorney.
Provisions of that new law include chronic absenteesim at 15% missed days in a grading period. At that point, the school must engage the student and family to develop a prevention plan. The plan would identify causes of the absences and outline both parties’ responsibilities to improve attendance.
If a student has missed more than 20% of a grading period they are considered truant and the school must notify the county attorney, which could result in charges being filed.
Exemptions would include students who have completed graduation requirements, excused by a court, attendance of religious services, documented medical conditions, those with IEP or 504 plans, and those attending other approved institutions.
When a student hits 10% absenteeism, the district is required to send a certified letter to parents or guardians.
Typically, a charge is a misdemeanor with scaled fines and possible jail time for repeated offenses. Failure to appear on the charges can result in arrest warrants.
Slater said the district works diligently with families to achieve positive attendance.
“Teachers, support staff, and administration are all working together to support students and families who struggle with attendance. Our focus is on prevention,” she said.
“The district has a full-time truancy officer who works with students and families each and every day to support and provide assistance to aid families and students to achieve positive attendance patterns."
Fort Madison Police Chief Cody Potthast said the department’s role is executing arrest warrants issued by the county attorney’s office. The only other relationship exists between the district and the department’s School Resource Officer.