Mark Mastrov says he recently received a letter from Stanley Middle School in Lafayette, California, saying that his son had been absent for more than 30 minutes on three occasions without a valid excuse.
And under California law, the letter reads, that means his son is considered a truant.
The letter states that because the boy is now classified as a truant, the school district is required to inform his parents that they could be prosecuted if they don’t compel their son to attend school — and that their son could potentially be subject to arrest.
“The letter is part of our responsibility to the state for our student attendance review boards,” Balmat told KGO-TV. “As always, the schools have a responsibility to ensure students are engaged and learning.”
CNN has reached out to Balmat for comment.
Under its penal code, a parent whose child misses more than 10% of a school year without a valid excuse could be subject to a fine of up to $2,000 and/or up to a year in jail.