Atlanta City Council approves school truancy ordinance

By Jeremiah McWilliams

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Atlanta City Council on Feb. 6 unanimously approved an ordinance allowing for more flexibility in combating school truancy.

In 2009, the City Council created a daytime curfew for children ages 6 to 15. Currently, Atlanta police may cite the parent and order them to appear in court after finding a student breaking the curfew three times. Monday’s vote gives courts more options on the first conviction, including parenting classes, counseling, community service, or possibly a fine or jail time for the parent.

"The goal of this ordinance is not to put parents in jail or to administer fines," said City Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell. "Those are the methods of last resort."

Get the news faster! Follow the AJC's coverage of Atlanta on Twitter.