MARION COUNTY, Fla. – Two parents in Marion County were recently sentenced to jail for not sending their kids to school.
Judge Brad King of the Marion County Truancy Court imposed a six-month sentence on one parent and a 90-day sentence on another for not complying with previous court orders aimed at getting their school-aged children into class.
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According to a news release, one case involved a student who had missed 120 days of school this year, while the other involved a student with 63 absences since the start of the 2024-2025 school year.
Truancy court serves as a last-resort measure employed by Marion County Public Schools to encourage parents and families to ensure their children attend school regularly. The current daily attendance average in Marion County stands at 91%, marking the highest rate in five years.
Statistics indicate that the Truancy Court is having a positive effect on this attendance rate.
Since the beginning of the school year, the following statistics have emerged from the Truancy Court:
- 26 truancy cases have been dismissed due to improved attendance.
- 11 families have been released from court until May thanks to better attendance.
- 7 parents have been jailed for disobeying court orders.
- 3 students were sentenced to time in the Department of Juvenile Justice.
- 58 new petitions have been submitted and assigned court case numbers.
- 86 active cases are currently on the Truancy Court docket.
- 7 students have been court-ordered to the Arnette House for 35 days.
Truancy cases encompass all grade levels and students aged 6 to 17.
Both parents are set to return to court Friday at 9 a.m.
Lawmakers introduced a bill aimed at tackling the growing issue of chronic absenteeism in the 2025 session, but it was stalled in the Senate.