Policy 2340 – Truancy and Educational Neglect

The Board of Education believes regular attendance is important to academic success. Therefore, the
Board directs that problems with attendance on the part of any student be investigated and acted upon
promptly.

Truancy is defined as deliberate absence from school on the part of the pupil with or without the
knowledge of the parent/guardian and for which no justifiable excuse is given. When a pattern of
truancy becomes evident, the principal will investigate and take such action as circumstances dictate.

Section 210.115 RS.Mo. mandates reporting to the Division of Family Services when there is
reasonable cause to suspect that a student’s nonattendance is due to the educational neglect of the
parents/guardians.

Any school official or employee who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a student is being
subjected to home conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in truancy will
immediately report or cause a report to be made to the building principal, or his/her designee, who will
then become responsible for making a report via the Student Abuse Hotline to the Missouri Division of
Family Services (DFS). The building principal shall inform the Superintendent/designee that a report
has been made, and keep the Superintendent apprised of the status of the case.