The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-21
BOARD In EARNEST
Truancy Law viii Be Enforced
to the Letter.
]. D. MERCER NEW OFFICER
Will Keep Record of All Tru-
ancy Cases.
D. MERCER NEW OFFICER

]. D. Mercer has been appointed truant
officer for the city schools for the coming
year and the school board is making
preparations to enforce the truancy law
to the letter this year. This law ex-
listed last year and was tried as an ex-
pertinent in the city schools but while 4
great amount of good was accomplished
the law was not enforced in many cases,
Since last year the law has been re-
vised and made much more stringent,
making a violation Of the law punishable
by heavy fine The uuant officer will
be compelled to keep a record Of every
case Of truancy and present it to the
board at their regular meetings. This
was not done last year and in some
cases truants escaped the officer and re-
manned away from school during the en-
tire year. The reports Of the secretary
of the school board for last year. show
that under the truancy law eighty chill
oren who had not been attending school
were forced TO go. This record is con-
sidered good when it is taken into con-
sideration that the school board ana
truancy officer were a little bit lenient.
1t is said there are many cases OF tru-
ancy in the city both of boys and girls.
Many have ample reasons for not at
tending school and these under the law
are exempt. Many children L and IA
years OF age are forced to work in
order &c help support large families
These are not touched by the law, but
It is the child who wilfulIy evades going
20 school or who is kept at home by the
parents or guardian when there is no
reason for it. Following are the main
points brought out in the new law which
give all the necessary information
Children between the ages Of and 15
years must be sent to school while in
session.
A child who supports himself or those
dependent shall attend eight weeks each
year
Graduation diploma exempts child from
provision of law.
Mental or physical incapscity exempts
child from provision of law.
Truant officer is appointed by county
superintendent in country and by school
boards in cities of the first and second
class. and hold Office at their will.
Truant officer reports to county super
intendent in county or clerk of board of
education in city, who must 20. K"
vouchers.
Truant officers receive 50 a day for ac
tual days of service. but for no more
days than schools are in session for any
one year.
Not less than one nor more than five
truent districts in any county.
Cities of the first and second class in
and county constitute separate truancy
districts.
But one truant officer can be appointed
for each 10000 school children in such
cities. and no city shall have more than
five truant officers.
Enumerators and clerks when taking
school census must require parents and
guardians TO state ages of children under
oath.
A fine of not less than 81 nor more than
so may be imposed for refusal to COM
ply with above provision
Any resident or teacher may give in
formation to the truant officer
The truant officer then notifies parents
or guardian that the children must at
tend school.
This Hotice must be obeyed within five
days
Violation of law be punished by a fine
of not less than s. nor more than SIS