School Attendance Review Board (SARB)

SARB is a community-based effort to bring together resources to assist families with positive attendance and to reduce absences and truancy. The SARB is authorized by Education Code to work with families to resolve areas of concern, provide interventions and community resources, and in extreme cases, make a referral to the district attorney for prosecution. The SARB level meeting is collaborative in nature and an effort to keep students and families out of the court system. The SARB goals are always to work with every student to maximize their experiences in our schools.

Please note: If your student is referred to SARB, both parent/guardian and student are expected to participate in the meeting. Should you have any questions or scheduling concerns, please call the number listed above.

Contact Information

Amber Bowman
Coordinator, Student Support Services
(805) 497-9511 x3323
Email

Gloria Alamir
Secretary, Student Support Services
(805) 497-9511 x3320
Email

In 2000, a truancy intervention program was established by the Ventura County District Attorney's Office to work closely with school districts in Ventura county, Probation, law enforcement agencies, Behavioral and Public Health, Interface and other community based organizations in Ventura County. It is designed to maximize school attendance, performance and eventual graduation from high school. A Deputy District Attorney participates in a weekly, monthly Student Attendance Review Board (SARB) meetings with participating school districts to address on-going truancy problems.

Based on their attendance records within a school year, students are referred to the District level SARB for a meeting. The parent(s)/guardian(s) and student are required to attend this SARB meeting. At this meeting, the student's attendance history is discussed as are any concern or difficulties the family may have that contributes to the student's lack of attendance. SARB and the parent(s)/guardian(s) work together to come to an agreement regarding the student's attendance issues. At the end of the SARB meeting, an attendance contract is signed by the parent(s)/guardian(s), student and SARB members listing the requirements set forth by the SARB team.

If the student continues to be truant and does not adhere to the attendance contract and directives of SARB, the student and/or parent(s)/guardian(s) can be cited by the local law enforcement agency for violating Education Code. If a citation/ticket is issued, the student and/or parent/guardian is required to attend a court hearing. If determined to be guilty, the student and parent/guardian may be required to pay a fine and the student may be required to complete community service hours. The amount of the fine increases with each consecutive citation.