Regular attendance by the students at school is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program. Parents and students alike are encouraged to ensure an absence from school is a necessary absence.
Children between the ages of six and sixteen, as of September 15, residing in the Independence Community School District are required to be enrolled in and attending an Iowa accredited public or private school, or receiving competent private instruction pursuant to state law (Iowa Code 299.1A). Students are expected to attend a minimum of 162 days per year. Truancy will not be tolerated by the board.
Students are subject to disciplinary action for truancy including, but not limited to, detention, retention, alternative placement, release to human services, release to a guidance counselor, truancy officer, intervention team or other appropriate third party. It shall be within the discretion of the principal to determine, in light of the circumstances, whether a student may make up work missed because of truancy.
The principal/designee shall notify the truancy officer when a student is truant. The truancy officer shall investigate the cause of a student’s truancy and attempt to ensure the student’s attendance. The truancy officer may take the student into custody. A student taken into custody shall be placed in the custody of the principal. The truancy officer shall attempt to contact the student’s parents when the student is taken into custody. If after school administration action, the student is still truant, the truancy officer shall refer the matter over to the county attorney.
The school will participate in mediation if requested by the county attorney. The superintendent or designee shall represent the school district in mediation. The school district will monitor the student’s compliance with the mediation agreement and will report violations of the mediation agreement to the county attorney for possible prosecution.
Regulations for this policy are outlined in the student handbook for each attendance center.
Legal Reference:
281 I.A.C. 12.2(4).
Cross Reference: 206.3 Secretary-Treasurer
501 Student Attendance
503 Student Discipline
504 Student Activities
506 Student Records
Approved: 08/21/2006
Reviewed: 08/18/2008, 11/18/2013, 12/17/2018
Revised: 07/17/2006, 05/19/2009, 12/17/2018, 11/27/2023
