Truancy Intervention

For those youth who are having attendance issues and who meet the definition of habitually truant for the first time, Le Sueur County offers diversion from court proceedings with the goal of addressing the youth’s attendance issues. 

For repeat youth who are habitually truant or fail to successfully complete diversion, court proceedings may occur.

 School Attendance

Minnesota State Statute Requires That Children Attend School.

A child under the age of 17 years who is absent from attendance at school without lawful excuse for seven school days per school year if the child is in elementary school or for one or more class periods on seven school days per school year if the child is in middle school, junior high school, or high school or a child who is 17 years of age who is absent from attendance at school without lawful excuse for one or more class periods on seven school days per school year and who has not lawfully withdrawn from school under section 120A.22, subdivision 8.

Between the age of 12 and 17 and through the 17th year, it is primarily the student’s responsibility to get to school on a daily basis. Children who are ages 17 must be lawfully withdrawn from school by their parent or guardian.  Children cannot independently “drop out” of school.

For students under the age 12, it is presumed that it is a parental responsibility to ensure the child’s attendance at school. For concerns regarding the education and/or attendance of a child under the age of 12, please contact Child Protection to file a child maltreatment report. Children under the age of 12 are not considered truant, regardless of attendance due to the presumption of parental responsibility for the children’s age.  

To learn more about the Truancy program, please contact:

Maggie Nicolin
mnicolin@co.le-sueur.mn.us 
507-357-8287