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The following procedure is intended to assist you with making a referral for truancy when appropriate. The procedure should only be followed when all other attempts to resolve the situation have failed. The process is intended to be easy to complete while still providing important information that will allow for the development of a strategy for returning the child to school. All necessary forms can be completed on-line and found on the Allegan Area Educational Service Agency web site located under educational services and then going to truancy. After the required forms have been completed they can then be printed and faxed to (269) 673-2361 attention ISD Truancy Officer
The school will be responsible for sending a series of three letters to the parents or legal guardiansof the child with the absentee issue. The letters should be sent out at 5 unexcused absences, 7unexcused absences and 10 unexcused absences. The truancy referral should be made at thetime that the third letter is sent to the parents or legal guardians of the child in question. In the caseof high school students who stand to lose credit prior to 10 absences, letters should be sent out at3 unexcused absences, 5 unexcused absences and 7 unexcused absences. Examples of the threedifferent letter types are also available on line by accessing the Allegan County IntermediateSchool District Web site. The third letter sent must include notification to the parent that a referralhas also been made to the Allegan County Intermediate School District Truancy Officer. Includedwith this letter will be a copy of the Michigan Compulsory School Attendance Laws (also foundonline). The second letter must include notification of section 15.41599 of the MichiganCompulsory School Attendance laws (see example of letter two, available on ISD Web site). It isrecommended that letters of notification to parents or legal guardians should be sent out underschool or district letter head. The content of the letters outside of the legal requirements shouldreflect the personality of the school as well as the district. The process of sending three letters in proper sequence is important from a legal stand point. If allattempts fail to get the child to improve their attendance it may be necessary to file a criminalcomplaint. Proper notification to parents or legal guardians that they are in violation of thecompulsory attendance laws is a key element in establishing the case. It also helps establish thatthe school district made every effort to correct the situation prior to court involvement. Keep in mindthat requesting a parent to be charged and prosecuted for truancy is the last option the school hasin trying to resolve the problem. This step usually ends the relationship between home and school.We should always strive to maintain a working relationship with the parent and keep open lines ofcommunications. The power of the compulsory school attendance laws lie in the leverage they provide to attempt tokeep the student and parents involved in the school and continuing to work out the problems thestudent has. The other benefit is that the potential consequences of the law help motivate thefamilies to accept referrals and seek help for themselves (hopefully helping to resolve theattendance problems). At the time that a truancy referral is made a truancy referral form must be completed. This form istwo pages in length and can also be located on the ISD web site and filled out online. Theinformation on this form is instrumental in determining the strategy that will be used for returningthe child to school. It also allows for a quicker response if the case is sent for court intervention.Information from this form will also be used for the building of a data base which will then allow forthe tracking of at risk children from year to year as well as from district to district. The completed truancy referral should include the following when faxed to the Allegan CountyIntermediate School District Truancy officer. - Copies of the three letters sent to the parent or legal guardian.
- Completed truancy referral forms.
- Copy of computer generated absences report showing days missed.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the truancy referral process please contact theAllegan county intermediate school district truancy officer: Greg Sieracki Phone: 269-673-2161 Email:
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Instructional Services 
