Parents Want Answers After Threats of Truancy Court

In huntsville.

New information tonight... several parents in limestone county schools are asking for answers from the district.

They say their children received emails from teachers theatening to send them to truancy court!

Waay 31's casey albritton spoke to the parents and learned more about the situation.

Michelle durand/ parent "that's frightening to a 9, 10, 11-year-old."

Michelle durand says her 7th grade daughter is enrolled in remote learning in limestone county schools --and has been receiving concerning emails from her homeroom teacher-- like this one.... michelle durand/ parent "they are telling the students that if you do not get at least 15 % you will go to truancy court."

Durand says students in her daughters class are expected to be 15% done with school work for the year at this point...and while it's been difficult to keep up, that's not the only issue.

Michelle durand/ parent "she had been working for an hour and 58 minutes and i believe she was watching a video and they counted her absent that day because she was two minutes shy of the actual two hours, she was supposed to put in."

Another parent, sandee thompson, says her daughters also received threats for truancy court.

Sandee thompson/ parent "i don't know why we should be anywhere near truancy.

It's kind of aggravated me."

She says it's a harsh email to send to students-- and should only be sent directly to parents.

Sandee thompson/ parent "hey mrs. thompson, you've got five absences or your child isn't showing up online, etcetera, etcetera.

What happened to our notices?"

I reached out to the district to learn more about its truancy court and absence policies during the pandemic-- and i haven't heard back yet-- both parents say they hope the district addresses this issue soon.

Michelle durand/ parent "this is not okay and the kids are struggling and they need to feel safe."

Both thompson and durand say they were hoping students would receive some leniency and forgiveness as everyone navigates the online learning programs. they hope changes are made going forward.

We know 15 students in the school district have coronavirus tonight.

The district said nearly 80 students are in quarantine.

11 staff members are doing the same -- including superintendent