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To the editor: I was not able to attend Tuesday night's city
council meeting where the issue of a truancy ordinance was
discussed. I did, however, read the article in the Wednesday
Courier. I have several questions that arose in my mind.
Jean Anderson describes the fact that her office has taken steps
to stay on top of the truancy problem above and beyond what the
state has legislated. I feel this is commendable. The question then
arises, in my mind, would that then be the list that Bill Bates
thinks would not be useful for the purpose of keeping on top of the
truancy problem? I have to admit to being confused at this point. It
seems to me very reasonable for a list that is already maintained to
be the key to having an organized front in the fight against
truancy.
Another question that arises is whether the ordinance would
restrict freedoms that our responsible youth now enjoy. Since I am
an adult, I can only speculate on how such an ordinance would be
looked at by our youth. Maybe we should step back and get opinions
from some high school-age kids who may be affected by the ordinance
as it now appears.
[to top of second column in this letter]
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 Then we come to the authorized individuals who have authority to
issue citations. I would not doubt the authority of a uniformed
officer with proper identification -- if I were a youth -- but how
would a truancy caseworker from Jean Anderson's office identify
themselves? What means would they use to stop a child to determine
if a citation needs to be issued? How would they compel the child to
tell him/her the vital information that is needed to issue a
citation? (At this point my mind goes back to Jean Anderson's list
of truants as a good resource.)
I am well aware that many people have put in many hours of hard
work on this truancy issue for both sides, and it is hard to strike
a balance that will ensure freedoms and yet help the students that
need help. I feel that a reasonable compromise can be met, but only
if both sides will sit down and not rush the issue through at the
11th hour.
Ian Crider
[Posted
November 30, 2007]
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