Ypsilanti Township is taking a tougher stance on truancy.
Officials have drafted an ordinance that would charge parents with a misdemeanor if their child accumulates 10 or more unexcused absences during the school year.
Ypsilanti Township's Director of Community Standards Mike Radzik says truancy is a growing problem, especially at Ypsilanti Community Schools.
"We were quite surprised to hear about the volume of children in the elementary school ranks even as of last month had exceeded or far exceeded ten absent days in the calendar year," Radzik says.
Radzik says passing the ordinance now will have a minimal effect on this school year, but will give them enough time to have it ready for the fall 2014 semester.
