Norwalk Council Weighs Changes in Truancy Policy

Just weeks after President Clinton praised such laws, the Norwalk City Council has proposed loosening its anti-truancy ordinance in response to concerns that it may violate the rights of some students.

The council plans to introduce possible revisions tonight to its 11-month-old policy of allowing the city to charge parents for the cost of apprehending children found loitering when they are supposed to be in school.

Although it has been touted by city officials as a successful tool in fighting teenage delinquency, opposition by the head of Norwalk-based Christian Home Educators Assn. of California prompted city staff members to propose exempting children from the ordinance who receive their education at home.

Staff members also have made plans to train sheriff’s deputies who patrol the city to exclude such students from their enforcement of the ordinance, said public safety director Kevin Gano.

Philip Troutt, executive director of the Christian association, criticized the city policy in a letter to officials last year, saying it harasses parents who choose to educate their children at home.

A spokeswoman for the association said Monday that Troutt’s letter was not intended to represent the nonprofit group’s position. She declined to comment on the ordinance.