Crime

Bill Seeking To Strengthen Disciplinary Action For Children Who Skip School Will Soon Be Heard In Senate

ST. CROIX -- A bill sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis, which was set to be heard today but was postponed following the development of sewage issues at the Fritz Lawaetz Legislature in Frederiksted, seeks to strengthen disciplinary action for students who skip school -- an action called truancy -- with the aim of minimizing the number of students across the territory who Mr. Francis says are chronically late or absent from classes on a daily basis. “On any given day, we see school-aged children roaming in the streets during the time that they should be in school. They are out walking dogs, riding horses and sometimes even loitering in shopping centers,” Mr. Francis said. “Truancy can also play a significant role in the school to prison pipeline. Students who are missing time in the classroom are losing out on their education and putting their futures at risk. It is time that we get a handle on it and do something that would truly create a system of accountability.” The measure, seen ...