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Judge Dieter outlines attendance-improvement court and juvenile diversion program to Jersey Shore Area SD board
Summary
Judge Dieter told the board the district’s attendance-improvement court and juvenile diversionary program aim to keep first-time juvenile offenders out of the criminal system through tailored interventions, community service and counseling; he reported 45 of 48 participants completed the program and said 91.6% had not reoffended so far.
Judge Dieter told the Jersey Shore Area School District board at its 17th regular meeting that the district’s attendance-improvement court and a juvenile diversionary program aim to reduce criminal records for first-time juvenile offenders through tailored, restorative interventions.
Dieter said the diversionary program—developed with school staff—requires participants to meet with the judge, their parents and the charging officer, complete written reflections and community service, and in some cases take educational classes or be paired with mentors. ‘‘Of the 48 students that were brought onto the program, 45 completed the program,’’ he said, and ‘‘91.6 did not reoffend so far.’’ He added that charges were dismissed for students who completed the program.
Dieter described outcomes and concrete components: essays about what the student learned, a community-service placement arranged with local churches and municipalities, summer-school options tied to dismissal, and tailored mentoring or vocational exposure (for example, placement with a welder if a student expressed interest in welding). He said the approach can include counseling referrals through the district’s SAP process and other wraparound supports.
Board members asked whether county infrastructure could support expanding the program to middle and elementary grades. Dieter said resources are limited, and he singled out Margie Sowers—identified in the meeting as the district’s school outreach worker whose salary is partly county-funded—as ‘‘invaluable’’ to making the program work. He recommended piloting expansion at the middle school before moving to elementary grades.
Superintendent and trustees praised the program’s partnerships and results. No formal board action was taken at the meeting; the presentation concluded with board members thanking the presenters and inviting continued collaboration.
What happens next: the board heard the presentation and discussion but did not vote to change district policy at this meeting. Dieter and administration signaled interest in exploring middle-school expansion, contingent on available resources.
