At last week’s Washington County Board meeting, Regional Office of Education #13 Superintendent Ron Daniels presented a yearly report on truancy in the county and what his office does to combat it.  For the 4 counties covered by the Office, there were 358 first notice letters sent out in the first half of this school year.  There were 36 ordered to appear before the Truancy Review Board and 11 petitioned to court.  In Washington County, there 31 referrals for truancy.  16 were first notice letters at Nashville Grade School with no further services being needed, while there were 8 at Nashville High School.  Of these 8, one was seen before the TRB, 1 is being monitored by the courts from the previous year, 1 student withdrew from high school and 5 require no further services.  There were 5 referrals with 5 first notice letters at the Okawville public school, and 1 resulted in non-compliance by the family, so the Sheriff’s Department delivered a notice to appear in front of the TRB, but there have been no further issues since then.  There was 1 referral and first notice letter sent out at Irvington Grade School and no further services are needed.  There was also 1 referral and first notice letter sent out at Ashley Grade School and no further problems since then.  The process is a first notice letter is sent out after 3 to 5 unexcused absences.  If these continue, the student is seen in front of the Truancy Review Board.  If the issue persists, the case is referred to the State’s Attorney’s Office.  The idea is to get together with the student and parent or parents to look for a solution to keep the truancy from escalating.  Daniels says if they can get to the problem early, they can help before it becomes chronic truancy, to get the student back into the classroom and learning.