The Mississippi Department of Education recently hired Mrs. Jessica Rutland as the School Attendance Officer for Lawrence County. Lawrence County School District looks forward to working with Rutland to address issues with chronic absenteeism and truancy within the district.
Rutland is no stranger to the district. She has over 20 years of experience working with students and teaching at Rod Paige Middle School, Topeka Tilton Attendance Center and Lawrence County Technology and Career Center. She was part of the team who helped to bring the "Grow Your Own" Teachers Initiative with William Carey University to LCTCC.
Rutland is excited to use her new role with MDE to support students and families, and to help provide the resources that families need to ensure that their children are in school, on time, ready to learn, and receiving the highest quality of education possible. She wants to help families understand how vital school attendance is to the future success of their children. She will be present on school campuses and working closely with the district to address any attendance issues that may arise.
A student who does not attend classes two or more days per month without being excused is considered chronically absent. For more information on Compulsory School Attendance, visit the Parents/Students tab on the district website, www.lawcosd.org, and view pages 6-8 of the Parent/Student Handbook.