Spfld puts a stop to skipping school

SPRINGFIELD, Ma (WWLP) - It could be getting harder for Springfield students to play hooky from school.

The school department is encouraging anyone concerned about children they see that should be in school to call a hotline.

Truancy officers frequently patrol areas where kids hang out, but they are asking for the public's help to solve the problem.

David Duquette, The Attendance Supervisor for Springfield Public Schools, told 22News that "It's a problem I think for every municipality across not only New England but also all the states. We have 26, 000 kids in our schools and it's not uncommon for several hundred to be tardy truant on a daily basis so it is a major problem in an urban districts such as this."

You can make a report by calling 343-6458 during school hours.

The officers are essentially outreach workers and although they may bring kids back to school, they don't arrest anyone.