Work continues on county truancy program
By Terry Murry on Thursday, November 7th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UMATILLA COUNTY – Umatilla County’s truancy program has been rolled out to school district superintendents. Commissioner Cindy Timmons said that CARE Director Jenni Galloway will be instrumental in implementing the program, coordinating with families and educators.
Counties throughout Oregon are working on similar programs to respond to children who never returned to school after the pandemic. Timmons has said that there are a large number of young people who are apparently not being home schooled, nor are they enrolled in online schools.
“This is an opportunity to reduce barriers tat are impeding children’s education,” Timmons wrote in her weekly newsletter. “This is a way to assist children and families to be successful.”
The truancy program was authored by Sixth Circuit Court Judge Dan Hill with contributions from stakeholders in public education. Timmons said that school districts in neighboring counties as well as those throughout Oregon are interested in Umatilla County’s plan.
