Ask the Chief

Did you know that the overall success of a child can be directly linked to school attendance?  It’s true.  Students who miss school struggle academically, socially, emotionally, and at times, physically. 

This is why Minnesota State Statute 260A defines truancy and establishes a procedure for helping families avoid lifelong issues.

The law says that a child who misses three or more days of elementary school or three class periods of middle, junior or senior high school (without a VALID excuse) is considered “Continuing Truant”. 

In Minnesota,  State Statute 260C grants Law Enforcement the authority to investigate truancy concerns, detain and transport children to home or school and to report all concerns to the County Attorney.

When a child has seven unexcused absences from school they are considered “Habitually Truant”.  You may be thinking that involving law enforcement is a bit extreme for a kid who is missing school, but as I mentioned before, truancy can have a very negative impact on a child. 

Our goal, and the goal of the law, is to provide your child with every opportunity possible to be successful in life.  We have found that children who are IN SCHOOL are not getting into trouble. 

They are not committing crimes. 

Children in school are learning important social skills that teach them how to avoid conflict and to problem solve.  Making sure your child is in school every day is the best way to protect them and give them the education they need to become productive and responsible adults.