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12/2/2009
Your day in court
Looking for a government good news story to make your day? Governments collaborating, trying to do what’s right?
First the bad news. Kids skip school. Still. And much more often than we’d like as parents and community members. If you’ve been close to that type of situation, you know the school cares, and as frustrating as their actions might be (or not), they’re trying to do the right things. One of my kids surely wasn’t the worst of the bunch, but let’s just say we and the school tried everything, so I’ve been there…
And the better news. I sat in the other day on Outagamie County Circuit Court Judge Mark McGinnis’ Truancy Court at Appleton East High School. It was s large lecture room transformed into the actual court room for Judge McGinnis. McGinnis was in his robes, with his assistant providing needed files, joined by a court reporter, representatives of the Truancy Reduction and Assessment Center, or TRAC**, an assistant city attorney, one or two law enforcement officials, counselors, principal, assistant superintendents, the school psychologist and observers.
Sitting through court hearing after court hearing was heart-wrenching for me – and for the parents that joined their kids in court that day. More than once I dug around for a tissue to covertly wipe the unruly tear from my cheek.
Though not common in Wisconsin, a few other school districts are pioneering in-school truancy court. Judge McGinnis initiated the program in all four Appleton public high schools (East, West, North and Central) this September. Green Bay began in-school truancy court in the 2007-08 school year, and has found limited success with it. Oshkosh began its program in February, 2008, and Racine held their first truancy court at Park High School only last month.
If anyone from the court system was going to help Appleton address its truancy challenges, I can see how it would be McGinnis, who has initiated a number of innovative programs since being sworn in the summer of 2005. I know him and I like him – he’s bright, compassionate and a very hard worker. The real deal.
Last month’s cases at East went from less serious – first-timers, I think, to more serious – those that hadn’t complied with past McGinnis court orders. McGinnis’ countenance reflected each situation, alternatively encouraging with sometimes a big smile, to sternness and a requisite seriousness. Many kids were directed to appear once again in December (McGinnis holds court in each high school once per month) and, for some, in McGinnis’ real courtroom as well. A couple of the kids were told, with one of those stern countenances and in no uncertain terms, that if they didn’t follow his court order (specific to each case) they might end up in “Secure” – or Secure Detention. McGinnis reminded them that “Secure” was “just upstairs” from the county courtroom – and be assured, if they were in “Secure,” they wouldn’t be enjoying Christmas with their families.
Actions have consequences. Damn kids. You just want to yank them, get them to get it. But for some… Doggone it. Hope and love. And patience, perhaps fostered by a progressive truancy court.
So… Your day in court. Everything You Ever wanted To Know about Appleton’s unique in-school Truancy Court. December 10. On your lunch hour. Free pizza in Judge McGinnis’ courtroom. Do it.
December 10, 12 noon – 1 p.m.
Branch 1 Circuit Court, 2nd floor, Outagamie County Justice Center, 320 S. Walnut
Registration not required, but preferred. Call Nancy, 920-832-5152, or email Mark.McGinnis@wicourts.gov
I’ve been in a courtroom now and again, but blessedly, not often. One of McGinnis’ innovations early on in his judgeship was the Brown Bag Lunch. Held about once a quarter I think, the public is invited into the courtroom, offered pizza (!!) and then welcomed to an intimate discussion of one or another interesting aspect of the court. I’ve joined a couple of times – and came away enlightened. Bring a million questions (truly, no question is too big - or too elementary), or just sit quietly with your knitting. Truly a great opportunity.
Just FYI, here’s a 2008 Leg. Audit piece on truancy that’s interesting I guess, not tremendously insightful. The extent of truancy in some districts may surprise you – listed in various forms on pp.11, 12, 27, 40, 44 (MPS) and Appendix 4 at the end.
** TRAC is run by the Boys and Girls Club of the Fox Valley. From their web site:
A collaborative intervention program and center for youth who exhibit truant or runaway behavior. TRAC seeks to increase academic success, reduce juvenile crime, and improve service coordination for youth. TRAC's professional staff work with parents, schools, law enforcement, social workers, and others in a joint effort to make a positive difference in a truant or runaway youth's life. Call Jerry DeLong at 731-8255 or 731-0555, ext. 246.
Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
COMMENTS
Jo,
Interesting stuff. On the report from 2008 I saw that many of the bigger problems (let's say above 10%)are in the smaller communities. (Marinette, Augusta etc.) For sure, 49% in Milwaukee and 18% in Green Bay while unacceptable are are to be expected. But Madison and Appleton aren't too bad. I see a correlation with poverty not with size but that doesn't seem to explain it all. Imagine how many resources will be needed if judge McGinniss is to be replicated in Milwaukee. But imagine how many resources are needed once these truants are out of school, no longer in contact with the school system but now in contact with the criminal justice system.
dave allen (Wed Dec 02 06:58:02 2009)
Yeah, for sure. The criminal justice system. Hope and patience only work for so long. So maddening and saddening.
Jo (Wed Dec 02 08:04:46 2009)
Are you kidding me. Truancy court is a joke. Does it really merit a $200 fine, that's absolutely ridiculous, who's bright idea was this to begin with? For one the judge doesn't even start his court sessions on time, a fine example some of the kids who are there only for being tardy. Did they do this crap when you were in school? It's just another fine example of a cash cow designed to feed the corrupt local governments and preying on those who can least afford it. Does fining a kid who can't afford it really help, they are only interested in the money not the interests of the kids, who for whatever reason may be missing school.
john (Thu May 13 10:45:48 2010)
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