During the 03/19/2025 Common Council meeting, the Common Council received a presentation from Appleton Area School District Superintendent Greg Hartjes requesting that the Common Council create a local anti-truancy ordinance. At the end of the meeting, Alderperson William Siebers (District 1) introduced a resolution to bring back the city’s former anti-truancy ordinance. This resolution has been referred to the Safety and Licensing Committee and will be taken up by that committee during its 03/26/2025 meeting.
Alderperson Katie Van Zeeland (District 5) has expressed some concerns with the manner in which AASD has been handling this request, particularly the lack of data provided in the presentation.
In a Facebook post on 03/18/2025 prior to the Common Council meeting, she explained some of her concerns about the lack of data:
The presentation does not provide any data regarding the success of any new interventions they have implemented, nor does it offer any explanation for their tiered interventions – just a litany of buzzwords and acronyms. Interestingly, a tiered intervention system typically funnels downward, starting with broader measures and ending in measures tailored to specific student needs. This doesn’t appear to do so.
In addition, the fine print states that AASD provides several referrals made to the county but does not explain what the referrals were for or to.
The data shows that habitual truancy – defined as missing all or part of 5 or more school days in a semester without an excuse – was BELOW 2017-2018 rates until last year.
The data provided for chronic absenteeism—defined as missing 10% or more of total school days, including both excused and unexcused absences, missing 10% of eligible school days, and missing 18 days for the full school year—shows that chronic absenteeism doubled in 2021-2022 but has COME DOWN each year since.
In a Facebook post made 03/19/2025 after the Common Council meeting, she expressed concern with the speed at which a resolution was submitted, pointing out that the Safety and Licensing Committee will be meeting during spring break at a time when parents may have made vacation plans and will not be available to attend the meeting and make public comment. She also was concerned at the way the resolution’s submittal will cause it to be taken up during a period of transition on the Common Council as the April election takes place, new alderpersons are sworn in, and committees are formed for the coming Council year.
She finished her post by saying:
I don’t understand the rush. These developments do not alleviate my suspicions that AASD sees the truancy ordinance as its only way forward. In addition, it does nothing to address the concern I posted yesterday: I hear them saying they want to collaborate with the Council, but they act like collaboration with us is beneath them.
I intend to carefully review the information and plans AASD provides to the committee next week and remain slightly hopeful we can find a cooperative path forward.
Finally, as the President of the Council for the past three years, I want to make it clear that my colleagues will not be pressured into making a decision on a deadline, and we will ensure that the public is actively involved in this process.
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