Welcome to the Attendance, Safety, and Security Department

The Bessemer City School System believes that regular school attendance is important to students and to the school system. Regular attendance by students facilitates development of the skills and knowledge necessary to function in society. Therefore, the Board endeavors to secure, in compliance with Alabama law, the prompt and regular attendance of students and to secure their proper conduct and to hold the parents/guardians or other persons in charge or control of students responsible and liable for such students' nonattendance and improper conduct.
 
It is important that each person connected with the school system understand the importance of maintaining a consistent set of behavior standards in order to establish a positive learning environment.  This can only be accomplished in schools where the environment is free from distraction caused by disruptive behavior. Creating such an environment requires the cooperation of the parents/guardians, students, Board of Education and all employees of the school system.
 
The Attendance, Safety, and Security Department is here to assist schools, parents/guardians and students in understanding the rules and policies of the school system regarding attendance, discipline and state laws.  We also provide information regarding school zones, enrollment, and the Alabama State Law, Sec. 16-28-3 Code of Alabama (1975) revised. This law requires all children between the ages of six and 17 to attend school.  It is your responsibility under the law to ensure the attendance of your child/children.  Recent legislation requires all children enrolled in Alabama Public Schools, regardless of age, to comply with the provisions of the Compulsory School Attendance Law.  Continued unexcused absences (truancies) will result in a referral to the Jefferson County Family Juvenile Court for assistance in improving your child’s school attendance.

Please contact us if we can be of assistance to you.

 

   For more information, contact: 

Linda Roper Richardson, Ed.S.

Director of Attendance, Safety, and Security

205.432.3019

205.565.4897

lrichardson@bessk12.org

Linda Richardson
Linda Roper Richardson

 Erica Dabney                                Olivia Johnson                                   Robin Smith

Data Manager                           Support Specialist                         Executive Secretary

  205.432.3024                                205.432.3046                                     205.432.3018

edabney@bessk12.org                                  ojohnson@bessk12.org                                         rsmith@bessk12.org