Evicting the Family When a Child Skips School? Omaha Considers a Radical New Policy

[The Straight Story]

Evicting the Family When a Child Skips School?
Omaha Considers a Radical New Policy



Under a complicated plan aimed at reducing truancy among its residents, the Omaha Housing Authority could, in a worst-case scenario, evict a family whose child chronically failed to attend school.

Between 2005 and 2007, the graduation rate of Omaha public schools dropped from 62 to 55 percent. And with 60 percent of students in those schools considered "economically disadvantaged," according to the Chief State School Officers in Omaha, officials searched for a creative solution to combat the problem.

"We came to the conclusion that we are the biggest provider of housing for low-income students," said George Achola, legal counsel for OHA. "We are one of a few agencies that have the capability to affect the lives of our residents 365 days a year."

http://abcnews.go.com/US/Parenting/evicting-family-child-skips-school/story?id=10616121