KRS 159.140: Duties of director of pupil personnel or assistant. (Effective July 15,

2026)

(1) The director of pupil personnel, or an assistant appointed under KRS 159.080, shall:

(a) Devote his or her entire time to the duties of the office except as pr ovided in

subsection (2) of this section;

(b) Enforce the compulsory attendance and census laws in the attendance district

he or she serves;

(c) Acquaint the school with the home conditions of a habitual truant as defined

in KRS 159.150(3), and the home with the work and advantages of the school;

(d) Ascertain the causes of irregular attendance and truancy, through documented

contact with the custodian of the student, and seek the elimination of these

causes, which shall include performing the duties requir ed in KRS 159.152 in

those schools within the district that are participating in the SOAR Program

under KRS 610.033;

(e) Secure the enrollment in school of all students who should be enrolled and

keep all enrolled students in reasonably regular attendance;

(f) Attempt to visit the homes of students who are reported to be in need of

books, clothing, or parental care;

(g) Provide for the interviewing of students and the parents of those students who

quit school to determine the reasons for the decision. The i nterviews shall be

conducted in a location that is nonthreatening for the students and parents and

according to procedures and interview questions established by an

administrative regulation promulgated in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A

by the Kentucky Bo ard of Education. The questions shall be designed to

provide data that can be used for local district and statewide research and

decision-making. Data shall be reported annually to the local board of

education and the Department of Education;

(h) Report to the superintendent of schools in the district in which the student

resides the number and cost of books and school supplies needed by any

student whose parent, guardian, or custodian does not have sufficient income

to furnish the student with the necessary books and school supplies; and

(i) Keep the records and make the reports that are required by law, by

administrative regulation of the Kentucky Board of Education, and by the

superintendent and board of education.

(2) A local school district superintendent may waive the requirement that a director of

pupil personnel devote his or her entire time to his or her duties. The superintendent

shall report the decision to the commissioner of education.

(3) In any action brought to enforce compulsory attendance laws, the director of pupil

personnel or an assistant shall document the home conditions of the student and the

intervention strategies attempted and:

(a) For a minor in kindergarten to grade five (5) whose parent or guard ian is in

violation of the provisions of KRS 159.010(1)(a) by allowing the child to be

absent without excuse for fifteen (15) or more days during a school year, shall

report the matter to the county attorney for determination of appropriate court

intervention, if any; and

(b) For a minor in grade six (6) through twelve (12) who is a habitual truant as

defined in KRS 159.150(3) and has been absent without excuse for fifteen

(15) or more days during a school year, shall report the matter to the county

attorney for a determination of appropriate court intervention and, if a

complaint is filed with the court -designated worker, proceed under KRS

610.030(7).