Two School Districts Crack Down on School Attendance

A new year comes with new priorities for the San Leandro Unified School District and San Lorenzo Unified School District.

The San Leandro Police Department will be working with the two school districts in focusing on preventing truancy and improving school attendance with a truancy reduction program.

Students found off school grounds during school hours are subject to being cited for truancy — which will result in a fine and/or placement into a diversion program.

“Our goal with this program is to keep kids in school and prepare them for their future. We would like to use all the available resources before fines may be applied because our ultimate goal is to make sure children are making the right decisions and continuing with their education,” says Lt. Randall Brandt. “For this program to be successful, it will need to be a collaborative effort between the police, the school district and parents or guardians.”

Students who attend school regularly are more successful during school and after graduation. This helps them move onto higher education and careers.

“Having support from the San Leandro Police Department is crucial to our ongoing efforts to get kids to school and keep them there. The school district has a responsibility to track, report, and support students who are having difficulties getting to school,” says SLUSD Superintendent Mike McLaughlin. “Partnering with the SLPD and other agencies will ensure that we are doing all we can to educate our children and keep them safe.”

“We deeply value our partnership with the San Leandro Police Department in addressing chronic truancy,” SLZUSD Superintendent Fred Brill says. “I am confident that our collaborative efforts will keep more students in school and this will ultimately provide greater opportunities for our students to be successful in college and in the workplace.”