They’re Skipping To A New Tune Day In Truancy Court Gains Absent Teens’ Attention

Go to school or go to jail.

That’s the choice a Spokane County Juvenile Court commissioner gave one 13-year-old truant Friday.

Distracted, the lanky, curly-haired teenager twisted in his seat next to his mother. A large glob of bright pink gum churned in his mouth.

He missed more than half of the first 44 days of the school year, said Matt Elisara, assistant principal at Garry Middle School. The boy’s absences, all unexcused, are sporadic: six in September, three in October, 13 in November, three more last month.

Elisara looked expectantly at Commissioner Royce Moe.

“I’ve seen a lot of him this week,” Elisara said of the teenager. “But I can only assume it’s because we were going to be in court this week.”

It was the county’s first session of truancy court, where habitual school-skippers are ordered before a judge, who then orders them to go to school. If they don’t comply, the judge can lock them up or sentence them to community service.

The truant’s parents also can be punished: $25 for every skipped school day.

“Hopefully, it doesn’t get that far that often,” Moe said Friday. “Usually just the threat of coming to court will change behaviors.”

Truancy court is the result of a new state law that forces school districts to file petitions against students who miss 10 or more days of class in one school year.

The petitions require students to come to court with their parents. They are filed only after the school exhausts all other options, such as parent-teacher conferences, in-school detentions and student counseling.

So far in Spokane County, more than 350 petitions against truant students already have been filed. That kind of pace could require at least one truancy court session a week, Moe said.

“Basically, if they don’t do as I say, they’re in contempt,” he said. “It should get their attention.”

Children can be jailed for up to seven days on contempt charges, and returning to school can be made a condition of their release. Skipping school again would constitute a parole violation, and possibly lead to a longer jail sentence.

Truancy charges were dismissed Friday against one youth who was supposed to appear in court. Since the petition was filed against her, the student has showed up for class regularly, said Rockie Ulrich, an attorney for District 81. School administrators also are meeting with the girl’s parents.

“That’s the kind of result we’re hoping for,” Ulrich said.

The teen who appeared in truancy court Friday seemed bored by all the fuss. He shook his head while his attendance record was scrutinized and gazed at the ceiling.

“Do you have something better to do with your time than going to school?” Moe asked him. “Are you just lazy or what?”

“No,” the boy said.

Moe plowed on: “When you’re not in school, where are you?”

“Home.”

With that, Moe looked at the student’s mother, who said she can’t get any of her three sons to go to school. They have to get themselves up and ready, she said, because she has to be at work by 8 a.m.

“They’re old enough to do that,” she said.

“But they’re not doing that,” Moe said. “You have a responsibility to make sure they do.”

Raising his voice, Moe ordered the young man to go to school, every day, on time. He reminded him of the consequences if he does not comply. He asked the teenager if he planned to disobey the order.

“No,” the youth said, suddenly interested.

“Good,” Moe replied. “Now stay out of my courtroom.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo