Schools want state to fill juvenile justice reform gaps

They were cited for skipping school and sent before a Minnehaha County judge.

Of the nine students at this month's hearing, only one had spent even a day in class since the semester began.

Two years ago they would have faced probation or juvenile detention, but today it's a $100 fine and two more strikes before more serious consequences.

A year and a half after Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed a widely praised package of juvenile justice reforms, South Dakota school administrators say the law has left them with few options for addressing truancy, underage drinking and other smaller offenses by students.

Read more: http://www.argusleader.com/story/news/education/2016/10/22/schools-want-state-fill-juvenile-justice-reform-gaps/92478234/