New Britain schools chief wants truants fined

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) — New Britain's schools superintendent says students who play hooky should be fined as much as $75.

The New Britain Herald reports that Superintendent Kelt Cooper is proposing that city councilors enact an ordinance fining truants. A recent study found that 48 percent of New Britain High School students are chronically absent.

Cooper, who took the school district's top job last month, is proposing fines on students between the ages of 6 and 17 who are found unattended by a parent or legal guardian between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on school days.

The Common Council would decide on the amount of a fine, but Cooper suggests $75. He says it has enough of a sting to have an effect.

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Information from: New Britain Herald

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