COUNCIL TO WEIGH TRUANT LAW : AGOURA HILLS ORDINANCE COULD MAKE CUTTING CLASS A CITY OFFENSE.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

Council members will decide Wednesday whether cutting class should be considered a school infraction or law-breaking behavior when they look at a proposed ordinance that would make truancy against city law.

The ordinance would increase the punishment for students out of class. Instead of getting picked up and returned to school, students would face a citation - which could result in a fine, community service work and parenting classes for their mothers and fathers.

Law enforcement and school officials have praised such strict measures as a way of keeping kids in class and reducing juvenile crime, and they cite the city of Los Angeles as an example where such a policy has worked.

But some Agoura Hills officials aren't convinced that the problem of skipping classes should become the city's responsibility.

``This changes it from a school issue to a juvenile justice issue,'' said Councilman Dan Kuperberg, who sits on a joint school-city committee. ``It gives more pressure to students to go to school, but I'm not sure it's the right thing to do. I'm not convinced the city needs to be involved in an issue that involves schools, students and parents.''

The issue came up about a year ago, when the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance that made it against the law for those under 18 to be out of class during school hours. The county sheriff's office and supervisors advocated for the spread of the program throughout the county, since the law only applies to unincorporated areas.

As a result, the city of Los Angeles and local cities such as Calabasas and Hidden Hills adopted similar ordinances. Westlake Village is also considering a curfew ordinance.

Though areas such as the Conejo Valley do not necessarily have a large problem with students cutting class or with juvenile crime, Lost Hills sheriff's Deputy Rick Mouwen said such a law would allow law enforcement to take action when needed.

``Every city has, to a degree, some truant problem. We're not experiencing any increase in truancy in this area, but we believe the ordinances will help keep kids in school. Absolutely,'' Mouwen said.

Traditionally, officers have picked up students out of class and returned them to school or their parents. From there, the school has taken action.

Under existing ordinances and the one proposed in Agoura Hills, a student found out of class would be cited and returned to school. The citation would require the student to appear before a judge in juvenile traffic court, where he or she would receive a fine or community service hours. A judge also could require mothers and fathers to attend parenting classes.

Kuperberg said he wasn't convinced that Agoura Hills should be involved in discipline issues.

``This is about how we want to deal with students. Do you want these kids involved in the juvenile justice system?'' Kuperberg said. ``I think there's a difference between a kid who misses one class and goes to Carl's Jr. and one who skips the whole day.''

Kuperberg also voiced concern about authorities stopping students who perhaps have a doctor's appointment or receive home schooling.

``I'd hate to see these kids being stopped just because they're kids,'' he said.

The Agoura Hills City Council meeting will take place Wednesday at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 30101 Agoura Court, Suite 102, Agoura Hills.