APPLETON, Wis. — The Appleton Area School District may have another year to evaluate the effectiveness of the school truancy ordinance.
The city’s Safety and Licensing Committee votes to recommend approval of renewal of the ordinance that targets chronic truants. The previous ordinance expired on June 30. Appleton School Superintendent Greg Hartjes says the ordinance produced results.
Alder Chris Croatt believes those results merit a second look.
Appleton resident Michelle Pauley believes focusing on the ordinance overlooks other contributors.
Alder Sheri Hartzheim believes the reduction in truancy numbers is not a coincidence.
The resolution to recommend the ordinance renewal was approved on a 4-1 vote. If approved by the full common council, the truancy ordinance would take effect from Sept. 1 until Aug. 31, 2027.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that the renewal of the ordinance is not official.
