Judge Steven Randolph announces new attendance policies

Lily Bradford, Staff Writer

On Aug. 2, 2023, Putnam County School System uploaded a video on their official Twitter and Instagram accounts of Judge Steven Randolph announcing a new policy regarding attendance and truancy.

Randolph explains that in order to crack down on truancy, for every unexcused absence, the truant student will have to serve seven hours at a recycling center. He also states that parents must be held accountable, so parents are now subject to up to ten days incarceration per absence. Randolph goes on to explain his reasoning, saying that truancy, “can lead to teen drug use, teen pregnancy, delinquency, and low self esteem.”

These new policies outraged many parents and students. Many say that there are too many circumstances that can’t be helped, and these new policies are too harsh. These circumstances range from health conditions, family emergencies, and other things that prevent students from attending school.

“My family had an emergency that caused me to rack up on absences. Policies like these aren’t fair, students shouldn’t have to be forced to work at a community center when it's not always the student’s fault,” CHS sophomore Tyson Richmond says.

Putnam County School System attendance supervisor Chris Pierce says the school system is required to follow the state law when it comes to their attendance policies, whatever the state says they must oblige.

According to the Putnam County school system, a student is considered truant when they have five or more unexcused absences.

Randolph later released a statement after multiple outraged parents and students voiced their concerns.

“The individual student’s best interests are continuously reviewed throughout the time their case is pending before the court. I regret that the video has caused so much confusion, but I am glad it has increased awareness about truancy and the best interests of the students of Putnam County,” Randolph said.

Opinions vary on this new attendance policy. Some students and parents think these changes will motivate students to get to school, and some think this will cause many to become at risk.