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Des Moines County Attorney Changing Truancy Policy

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Burlington Community School District

The Des Moines County Attorney's Office is changing its policies regarding truancy cases with the hope of convincing more students to regularly attend school.

County Attorney Amy Beavers said her office began considering changes after finding it's  handled more truancy cases in recent years.

"It's not overwhelming (and) it's not a crisis, but it is noticeable," said Beavers, "and to me, it is a concern because we certainly want our youth to finish school.  We want them engaged in school and participating. So to me, it is a very important issue."

The most significant change in policy is that truancy cases will no longer be prosecuted in criminal court, as was the practice under former County Attorney Pat Jackson.

Beavers said after studying state law, she decided to move the cases to civil court.  She said while this does eliminate the threat of jail time, it has numerous benefits.

"The fines can be higher and the money that is recovered in civil court goes back to the school (district)," said Beavers. "So they can put that money back into the system to help at-risk youth."

Beavers said it will also speed up the process of prosecuting cases.  Her office is still working on some truancy cases from last year.

She said another policy change gets more to the heart of the issue and how to prevent it.

Students in Des Moines County are considered truant after six unexcused absences.  Each school district, though, has a separate policy regarding when the County Attorney's office gets involved through mediation or prosecution.

Beavers said her office will no longer be involved in mediation, giving the parents or guardians of a truant student a chance to work on an educational plan with the school district.

"This engages the parents much more quickly and allows them to participate with the school in the process... before it is referred to us," said Beavers.

She said her office is working with the local school districts to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.