The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
City Council votes to table truancy ordinance
Residents call for more discussion, research
By Christine Laughren, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 17, 2008
In a five to one vote, the Ypsilanti City Council Tuesday tabled a resolution that would allow police to enforce a truancy ordinance within the city limits.
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The ordinance states it would be "unlawful for a minor under the age of 16 who is enrolled in a public or private educational program to be absent from school and in a public place" without permission or prior consent.
Members who voted to table the ordinance agreed keeping kids in the classrooms throughout the entire school day is a valid concern.
Council members, however, wanted more information from Ypsilanti Police Chief Mathew Harshberger on why there is a need for a city ordinance, how it will decrease truancy rates, and what benefit it would have to students and the community as a whole.
Several council and community members also voiced concerns of children being questioned by patrol officers.
Ypsilanti resident Rodney Smith, who said his children are homeschooled, questioned the need for a "curfew." He said curfews are for serious times and truancy is not that serious of an issue.
"We are not talking about a public nuisance we are talking about civil liberties," he said.
According to Assistant City Attorney Karl Barr the current state law holds parents accountable if a student is consistently not attending class. The proposed city ordinance would hold a student accountable in juvenile court.
Penalties for violation of the proposed ordinance could result in a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine in the amount of $50 for a first offense and $100 for a second or subsequent offense during a calendar school year.
Councilwoman Lois Richardson, who has had experience working in the juvenile system, said she is apprehensive about sending children to juvenile court.
Once kids are in the system it's almost impossible to get them out," Richardson said. "If we can keep children out the system, we need to do everything we can to keep them out."
The ordinance language was modeled from similar ordinances in Superior and Ypsilanti townships.
Ypsilanti School District's Superintendent Dr. James Hawkins came before the City Council Tuesday evening to explain why he believes an ordinance would benefit his district. He said the reason for the ordinance is "simple."
"In order to educate all of the kids all of the time, you need to have them in school all of the time," Hawkins said. "The number of kids who are truant on a regular basis is not a significant amount but one is too many."
Hawkins also said the current Michigan law is not adequate.
The law states every parent or guardian, having control and charge of a child from the age of six to the age of 16, must send that child to school during the entire school year.
"I can't think of one example in the last three years where the family has been contacted because of mandatory school attendance," he said. "It's not monitored and it's not enforced consistently."
Harshberger said the ordinance would not place a strain on the department, as Ypsilanti School District's liaison officer Elizabeth Hunt would predominantly enforce the ordinance.
He said Hunt, who is typically traveling from building to building in the district, would be able to force truant students back to school if she saw them negating their responsibilities.
Richardson said the city has several homeschooled children and she voiced concern about the possible effect a truancy ordinance could have on them.
"I know officer Hunt, she's a good officer, but she doesn't know every student."
Ypsilanti resident Steve Pierce said he would like to see more public discussion before any ordinance decision is made.
He said city hall was packed last time the issue was brought before City Council. Pierce also said some key questions need to be addressed before the city considers the ordinance.
"How are you going to pay for this because it s going to cost money," Pierce asked.
Robb also raised concern about the potential cost to the city.
Barr said he was not sure of the exact costs the city could incur but he did say the ordinance would be an additional cost for the city.
Hawkins said he understood the council's apprehension and he recognized the city's decision to table the ordinance. But he said he hoped the city would eventually pass the ordinance as surrounding townships have.
"My ultimate goal is to keep kids in school and I can't educate them if they are not in school," he said.
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