Local judges and school districts are trying to find a solution to juvenile truancy.
According to one judge, the problem has doubled from last year to this year.
Judge Hector Liendo says the solution lies in the hands of local parents.
Meanwhile LISD officials are hoping to do everything they can to keep kids out of court.
“If you look from that flag pole right here a 1 mile circumference around Nixon, there are almost 40 eating establishments that any student can walk off campus and go and order something,” says Senior Attendance Officer Jesus Cantu.
Hanging out at a local restaurant isn't a big deal, unless you're supposed to be in school.
Hoping to put an end to juvenile truancy, local district officials heading out, hunting for kids who decide to ditch class.
We recently went along with LISD truancy officers to see just how many students we could round up.
In the first ten minutes of our trip, one was caught.
“Usually what happens is we tell them either we call a van in to pick you up or you go back to school. So he's leaving right now.”
An average of two or three students per day will be given a chance to go back or be picked up by district police.
And that’s in the Nixon area alone.
Some won't learn their lesson and after a visit from school officials to the student's home, parents will face the consequences in court.
“We try to work with the parent but we will end up in court.”
Compared to this time last year more students and their parents have to show up here to court. Judge Hector Liendo says it's time for parents to step in.
“We used to hear 30 cases per week last year. This year I’m listening to 60 cases per week.”
Liendo says about 90 percent of parents will show concern but it takes much more.
“Get up and really get these children straightened up. It seems like these kids are winning the war. The parents are afraid to discipline them.”
Parents face a 200-dollar fine for every day that a child has an unexcused absence.
Even worse, the guardian can face jail time.
School officials say all can be avoided if only the parents get involved in their children's
Life.
“They can come in at any time to check on their progress. They can set up an appointment with teachers. They can come to the attendance office and check on attendance at anytime. We will be happy to assist them.”
Judge Hector Liendo is only one of several justices of the peace that hear juvenile cases so in reality there are more than 100 students a week that are expected in court for truancy.
Those cases involve students from all areas of Laredo.