RAYTOWN, MO (KCTV) -
The Raytown School District already keeps a close eye on its students, but they are looking to take things one step further.
District leaders have asked the Board of Alderman to add a daytime curfew to their existing nighttime curfew that went into effect last year. City leaders say the nighttime curfew has been very effective.
If a daytime curfew is approved, any student 17 or younger on the streets from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday would be in violation. The punishment for students caught in violation would be up to a juvenile court judge.
The proposal goes before the Board of Alderman in early September, and if approved, it could take effect immediately.
"The desire of the ordinance is not to get someone in trouble or put someone in a bad situation or bad light. The desire of the ordinance is to provide support and resources to families and students to make ensure they have a great education," Raytown School District Assistant Superintendent Steve Shelton said.
Shelton said attendance rates are actually up from last year. He said the curfew is aimed at improving those rates even further.
"This is a proactive effort to ensure students are in school, receiving a good education," he said.
Shelton already has the full support of Mayor David Bower who said educating Raytown's youth is a top priority.
"This is all about making sure the students in Raytown have a quality education and helping enforce the curfews, the better off we all will be," Bower said.
But not all parents agree with the measure. Some said it's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.
"I think the curfew is overboard. There need to be stats to show this would make a difference before we put the resources into it," parent Brad Wilkinson said.
Independence, Grain Valley, and Kansas City all have a truancy ordinance. In Kansas City, if a teen is caught, their parents are fined. Parents can attend a class, or counseling, to avoid the fine.
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