New School Attendance Program Aims to Reduce Absenteeism in Dearborn, Ohio Counties

The program was announced by Judge Aaron Negangard on Tuesday afternoon.

Judge Aaron Negangard speaking about the new, two-county wide school attendance program. Photo by Travis Thayer, Eagle Country 99.3. 

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – A new, two-county-wide school attendance program was announced on Tuesday afternoon.

The Honorable Judge Aaron Negangard, Dearborn-Ohio County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens, and school administrators from Dearborn and Ohio counties gathered in the Dearborn County Circuit Courtroom to unveil the partnership between the courts, probation, Department of Child Services and the schools.

The aim of the program is to reduce absenteeism and truancy in Lawrenceburg, Rising Sun, South Dearborn, and Sunman-Dearborn schools.

The program will work with families and students to help facilitate their attendance and participation in school. The concept is the school corporations listed above now have the same attendance policy. Under the policy, K-5 have their own attendance requirements while 6-12 are a little different.

At the elementary level, the idea is to put services in place to work with families to help with any changes needed to make sure their kids are going to school. At the middle and high school level, truancy problems will be treated more like probation and parents could event facing neglect charges.

“The idea is to try to act quickly to resolve these problems,” said Negangard. “One of the biggest problems we have is by the time people have hit there days and receive notices, its May and we’re saying you have to get your kid to school. By the time all that’s done, it’s summer."

Negangard added that parents will frequently move to get a reset on their attendance numbers. However, that will not work under this new program. 

“There is no reset. If you have this many unexcused days and Lawrenceburg and you move to South Dearborn, you carry those days with you so that we can ensure that children are getting an education,” said Negangard.

This is a program that is currently being used in Ripley and Jefferson counties. According to those who run the program in those counties, it has had long-term benefits, fewer truancies at older ages, and fewer problems overall.  

“All the parents in the community need to be aware this is a fundamental change. You get fall break, winter break, summer break, and spring break and almost a week or so of days before you are even looking at a letter. You have for 12 years, a responsibility as a parent to get your kid to school. And if you can’t meet those requirements, there’s going to be consequences.”

With any new program, there is an expected adjustment period. Judge Negangard believes once people get used to it, they will understand the rules. 

“For those parents who think that you can take breaks off breaks, you can, but just be prepared there may be consequences. You only get so many days. You have to get your kids to school. Obviously, serious health conditions can be an issue, but the idea is we need to get the kids in school and getting an education. It’s six months out of the year,” said Negangard. 

The full set of rules and consequences were not released to the media at Tuesday's gathering. Check back for updates.