SUPERINTENDENT CONTINUES TO PUSH FOR DAYTIME CURFEW
Jim Shrewsbury, President of the Board of Alderman, agrees to help

St. Louis – Dr. Diana Bourisaw, Superintendent of the St. Louis Public Schools, has encouraged local leaders to consider passing an ordinance to establish a daytime curfew for school-aged children in St. Louis.

“In the past two months, I have approached many elected officials, including Board of Alderman President Jim Shrewsbury and Police Chief Joe Mokwa, with suggestions on how we can reduce the truancy rate in St. Louis,” Dr. Bourisaw said. “A daytime curfew has been a successful tool that has been used in many other cities across the country.”

In response, Jim Shrewsbury, President of the Board of Alderman, drafted an ordinance to establish a daytime ordinance which is currently being reviewed by the chairman of the Public Safety Committee. “Truancy is a very serious issue and I am willing to help the Superintendent deal with it. I expect to have a daytime curfew ordinance ready to be introduced in the near future,” said President Shrewsbury.

Many urban cities have passed ordinances to establish daytime curfews for children under the age of 17 in an effort to reduce truancy rates. The curfews typically prohibit children from being in public places other than schools during school hours on weekdays. Exceptions would be made in specific circumstances, including on legal holidays, or when the child is accompanied by an adult.

“I’m glad to have the support of President Shrewsbury and other leaders regarding the proposal,” said Bourisaw. “I am hopeful that we are successful. It is imperative that we have all of our students in the safety of our school buildings ready to learn every day.”