APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Appleton’s School Board meeting was standing room only Thursday night.
The district’s controversial truancy court was the topic, and the board voted to end it for the rest of the year.
Tensions were rising before the meeting even started.
Protesters could be heard outside of the building, demanding a change.
The Appleton Area School District’s truancy court has been a contentious topic for years.
Community members raised concerns about the way Judge Mark McGinnis runs it.
“We were affected seriously by Judge McGinnis,” one parent said.
Another speaker talked about how bad his experiences had been, dealing with McGinnis.
“I’ve been in Judge McGinnis’ court in the midst of a truancy issue. I’ll never forget it,” Edward Perkins said.
Former AASD students and parents from the community also said kids have been handcuffed at school and sent to shelter care, others ordered to wear electronic monitoring devices as punishment for unexcused absences.
An AASD graduate spoke about what her brother went through in truancy court.
“For him, it was traumatizing, he didn’t want to go to school anymore,” she said. “My mom ended up having to owe money for that bracelet, and she couldn’t afford that either.”
“On behalf of the district and our board of education, I apologize to the students and families that have been treated poorly during the truancy court process,” said AASD Board of Education member and district superintendent Judy Baseman.
The board’s decision to temporarily do away with Appleton’s truancy court follows an independent attorney’s review.
Madison-based attorney Duane McCrary shared his recommendations with the board, including replacing McGinnis.
“The district should request that Judge McGinnis no longer have the truancy court responsibility. A two-judge rotation between circuit court Judges Gill and Schneider could be implemented with their agreement, and Chief Judge Morrison’s concurrence.”
Although Appleton’s truancy court is gone, for now, some board members want it gone for good.
“They eventually end up into this systematic push via pipeline from school to prison, and to me it’s clear,” said AASD Board of Education member Alvin Dupree.
“For us not to really address that and clearly call it what it is and try to justify keeping it, it’s just completely wrong.”
Other members feel differently.
The board of education will set an action plan, responding to the findings and recommendations in the report on January 10.
