New Truancy Law To Keep SLO Students In School

San Luis Obispo, CA -- Today at the SLO County Board of Supervisors meeting, according to Dr. Julian Crocker, Superintendent of SLO County Schools, “the board will consider an ordinance that will give the Sheriff’s Department the authority to stop and question school-age youth who are not in school during normal school hours and are present in public areas (streets, playgrounds, parks, etc.). The ordinance also establishes penalties for youth found guilty of violating the ordinance.

This will apply only to the unincorporated areas of the county that are under the governance of the Board of Supervisors. Cities may adopt similar ordinances later for enforcement by local police departments.  This is being presented by Chief Jim Salio from the Probation Department and has my support as well as the support of the District Attorney and the Sheriff.

Truants tend to participate in unlawful activities (vandalism, theft, etc.), thus requiring the resources of law enforcement. The ordinance is primarily intended to protect the community and property from the negative effects of truancy. Truancy, or missing school without a valid excuse, is also the first step in dropping out of school. It is also well documented that school dropouts earn considerably less than non-dropouts, have much higher rates of crime; have much higher unemployment rates; and require substantial social services and costs later in life. 

This ordinance is also part of our countywide effort to lower the dropout rate for our county. Although we have a relative low dropout rate, efforts to prevent dropouts pay off in terms of lower social costs as well as improving the lives of individuals.”

The supervisors’ meeting begins at 9 a.m. at the County Government Center, 1055 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.