Procedures

After three (3) days of unexcused absences, the principal of designee should send to the parents/guardians a 3-day letter (see sample) stating the student’s days absent.  The mailing should include a copy of the following document(s):

• Truancy Fact Sheet – Truancy Not to Be Taken Lightly

After six (6) days of unexcused absences by a student, a Local Truancy Review Board Meeting must be scheduled.  The District Superintendent should send a letter stating the time and place for the Local Truancy Review Board Meeting to the parents/guardians (see sample).  The mailing should include the following document(s):

• States Attorney Letter

After nine (9) days of unexcused absences by a student, the school district should mail a nine-day notice to the parents/guardians.  The school district can now seek assistance from the Regional Office of Education, which will schedule a Regional Truancy Review Board hearing for the student and their parents/guardians.

TO SCHEDULE A REGIONAL TRUANCY REVIEW BOARD HEARING, THE ROE REQUIRES SOME DOCUMENTS AND RECOMMENDS OTHERS:

• Student Content Form (required)
  
  • This document must have the Student’s SIS number.
  • If possible, please list the siblings’ names attending the district’s education institutions.
• Copy of the 3-day letter mailed to the parents/guardians by the school (required)
• Copy of the 6-day letter mailed to the parents/guardians by the school (required)
• Student & Parent Questionnaires (recommended)
  
  • Completed during the Local Truancy Review Board Meeting.
• Local Truancy Review Board Outcome Form (required)
  
  • Completed during the Local Truancy Review Board Meeting.
• Student Demographic Profile (required)
• Behavioral Disciplinary Reports (required)
• Emergency Contact Information for Student
• Parent Defendant Information (required)
  • This document must include a description of the parent regarding race, weight, height, eye color, and hair color.
• Truancy Interventions (highly recommended)
  
  • List dates in which phone calls, meetings, and home visits were conducted with the student and their parents/guardians.
• Official Attendance and Academic Records/Transcript (required)
  
  • High school transcript should show credits attempted and credit earned.

The above documents should be email as a PDF file or sent by regular postal mail to the ROE.  The email address is truancy@sccroe50.org.  The ROE’s mailing address is 1000 South Illinois Street, Belleville, IL  62220-2537.

Upon review of the above documents, the ROE will schedule the regional hearing by notifying the student’s parents/guardians and the school representative that the case has been forwarded to the ROE.  The letter will state the time and place of the regional truancy hearing.  The ROE’s Director or Support Service Specialist will serve as the contact person for all questions about the regional truancy hearings.

Hearings are held in Cahokia and the ROE at 1000 South Illinois Street in Belleville.  Hearings are typically scheduled every 45 minutes.

• Hearings for Cahokia – Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Hearings for Other School Districts – Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Students are asked to accompany their parents/guardians at the Regional Truancy Review Board Hearing.  Other persons that are typically present at a hearing include:

• Hearing Officers – Director of Support Services and ROE Support Services Specialist
• Representatives from Education, Community, Civic, Mental Health, and Social Service Agencies
• Appropriate School Personnel (if applicable)

The ROE’s Director of Support Services Specialist will consult families to follow up on referrals to ensure that families receive the services outlined in the student’s Individualized Optional Education Plan (IOEP) to improve their attendance.