Umatilla County program reintroduces fines for school absenteeism

The number of students regularly missing school across the country has soared since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. A state report released last year found that more than a third of Oregon students are chronically absent, meaning they miss at least 10% of school days. State lawmakers removed truancy fines in 2021, but a new program in Umatilla County reintroduces them. As reported in the East Oregonian, the program uses a mix of family support, intervention from district officials and legal action with the goal of bringing students back to the classroom.

Heidi Sipe is the superintendent of the Umatilla School District. She joins us with more details.