Kentucky Revised Statutes

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 159.140 (2026)

Duties of director of pupil personnel or assistant

✓ current as of May 2026
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(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 provided 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 described 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; (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 interviews 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 by the Kentucky Board 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 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 guardian 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 600.020 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(6). Effective: July 15, 2024 History: Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 163, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended 2014 Ky. Acts ch. 132, sec. 14, effective July 15, 2014. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 2, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 2003 Ky. Acts ch. 159, sec. 1, effective March 31, 2003. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 514, sec. 7, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 362, sec. 6, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 476, Pt. IV, sec. 220, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 155, sec. 82, effective June 17, 1978. -- Amended 1956 Ky. Acts ch. 237, sec. 6. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. secs. 4434-6, 4434-8, 4434-9, 4434-10.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10 cases, 1957–2016 · leading case: Jefferson Cnty. Bd. of Educ. v. Fell ex rel. L.F., 391 S.W.3d 713 (Ky. 2012).
Jefferson Cnty. Bd. of Educ. v. Fell ex rel. L.F., 391 S.W.3d 713 (Ky. 2012). · cites it 2× “KRS 159.140 is amended to read as follows: The director of pupil personnel shall: (1) Devote his entire time to the duties of his office; (2) Enforce the compulsory attendance and census laws in the attendance district which he serves; (3) Acquaint the school with the home…”
T.D. v. Commonwealth, 165 S.W.3d 480 (Ky. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 4× “The sections of KRS 159.140 referred to in that statute state as follows: (1) The director of pupil personnel shall: (c) Acquaint the school with the home conditions of the student, and the home with the work and advantages of the school; (d) Ascertain the causes of irregular…”
B.H. v. Commonwealth, 329 S.W.3d 360 (Ky. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 9× “060(2) and KRS 159.140; (c) the finding of guilt must be set aside because there was no admission and no plea colloquy; and (d) the court committed reversible error by committing B.”
N.K. v. Commonwealth, 324 S.W.3d 438 (Ky. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 7× “060(2) and KRS 159.140, we vacate the orders. We also believe it necessary to resolve an issue relating to N.”
S.B. v. Commonwealth, 396 S.W.3d 928 (Ky. Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 6× “The only information listed which even remotely resembles the requirements of KRS 159.140 states that Child’s mother was sent three letters indicating Child was missing school.”
J.L.C. v. Commonwealth, 491 S.W.3d 519 (Ky. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 17× “During a subsequent hearing, defense counsel reiterated its argument that she did not believe the court had subject matter jurisdiction in this case under KRS 159.140 and KRS 630.020 because the school had not followed the jurisdictional requirements to bring this claim against…”
NK v. Com., 324 S.W.3d 438 (Ky. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 7× “060(2) and KRS 159.140, we vacate the orders. We also believe it necessary to resolve an issue relating to N.”
TD v. Com., 165 S.W.3d 480 (Ky. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 4× “The sections of KRS 159.140 referred to in that statute state as follows: (1) The director of pupil personnel shall: (c) Acquaint the school with the home conditions of the student, and the home with the work and advantages of the school; (d) Ascertain the causes of irregular…”
BH v. Com., 329 S.W.3d 360 (Ky. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 9× “060(2) and KRS 159.140; (c) the finding of guilt must be set aside because there was no admission and no plea colloquy; and (d) the court committed reversible error by committing B.”
Bd. of Educ. v. Miller, 299 S.W.2d 626 (Ky. Ct. App. 1957). · cites it 10× “Construed in relation to the other sections of KRS 159.140, it can have reference only to duties bearing some relation to the functions of the office of attendance officer ; it cannot include duties bearing little or no relation to the office itself.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 159.140(1) — 7 cases
N.K. v. Commonwealth, 324 S.W.3d 438 (Ky. Ct. App. 2010). “060(2) and KRS 159.140, we vacate the orders. We also believe it necessary to resolve an issue relating to N.”
S.B. v. Commonwealth, 396 S.W.3d 928 (Ky. Ct. App. 2013). “The only information listed which even remotely resembles the requirements of KRS 159.140 states that Child’s mother was sent three letters indicating Child was missing school.”
B.H. v. Commonwealth, 329 S.W.3d 360 (Ky. Ct. App. 2010). “060(2) and KRS 159.140; (c) the finding of guilt must be set aside because there was no admission and no plea colloquy; and (d) the court committed reversible error by committing B.”
J.L.C. v. Commonwealth, 491 S.W.3d 519 (Ky. Ct. App. 2016). “During a subsequent hearing, defense counsel reiterated its argument that she did not believe the court had subject matter jurisdiction in this case under KRS 159.140 and KRS 630.020 because the school had not followed the jurisdictional requirements to bring this claim against…”
NK v. Com., 324 S.W.3d 438 (Ky. Ct. App. 2010). “060(2) and KRS 159.140, we vacate the orders. We also believe it necessary to resolve an issue relating to N.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 159.140(1)(c) — 3 cases
NK v. Com., 324 S.W.3d 438 (Ky. Ct. App. 2010). “060(2) and KRS 159.140, we vacate the orders. We also believe it necessary to resolve an issue relating to N.”
TD v. Com., 165 S.W.3d 480 (Ky. Ct. App. 2005). “The sections of KRS 159.140 referred to in that statute state as follows: (1) The director of pupil personnel shall: (c) Acquaint the school with the home conditions of the student, and the home with the work and advantages of the school; (d) Ascertain the causes of irregular…”
BH v. Com., 329 S.W.3d 360 (Ky. Ct. App. 2010). “060(2) and KRS 159.140; (c) the finding of guilt must be set aside because there was no admission and no plea colloquy; and (d) the court committed reversible error by committing B.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 159.140(1)(f) — 1 case
NK v. Com., 324 S.W.3d 438 (Ky. Ct. App. 2010). “060(2) and KRS 159.140, we vacate the orders. We also believe it necessary to resolve an issue relating to N.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 159.140(3) — 1 case
S.B. v. Commonwealth, 396 S.W.3d 928 (Ky. Ct. App. 2013). “The only information listed which even remotely resembles the requirements of KRS 159.140 states that Child’s mother was sent three letters indicating Child was missing school.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 159.140(9) — 1 case
Bd. of Educ. v. Miller, 299 S.W.2d 626 (Ky. Ct. App. 1957). “Construed in relation to the other sections of KRS 159.140, it can have reference only to duties bearing some relation to the functions of the office of attendance officer ; it cannot include duties bearing little or no relation to the office itself.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 159.140(l)(c) — 5 cases
T.D. v. Commonwealth, 165 S.W.3d 480 (Ky. Ct. App. 2005). “The sections of KRS 159.140 referred to in that statute state as follows: (1) The director of pupil personnel shall: (c) Acquaint the school with the home conditions of the student, and the home with the work and advantages of the school; (d) Ascertain the causes of irregular…”
N.K. v. Commonwealth, 324 S.W.3d 438 (Ky. Ct. App. 2010). “060(2) and KRS 159.140, we vacate the orders. We also believe it necessary to resolve an issue relating to N.”
S.B. v. Commonwealth, 396 S.W.3d 928 (Ky. Ct. App. 2013). “The only information listed which even remotely resembles the requirements of KRS 159.140 states that Child’s mother was sent three letters indicating Child was missing school.”
B.H. v. Commonwealth, 329 S.W.3d 360 (Ky. Ct. App. 2010). “060(2) and KRS 159.140; (c) the finding of guilt must be set aside because there was no admission and no plea colloquy; and (d) the court committed reversible error by committing B.”
J.L.C. v. Commonwealth, 491 S.W.3d 519 (Ky. Ct. App. 2016). “During a subsequent hearing, defense counsel reiterated its argument that she did not believe the court had subject matter jurisdiction in this case under KRS 159.140 and KRS 630.020 because the school had not followed the jurisdictional requirements to bring this claim against…”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 159.140(l)(d) — 1 case
J.L.C. v. Commonwealth, 491 S.W.3d 519 (Ky. Ct. App. 2016). “During a subsequent hearing, defense counsel reiterated its argument that she did not believe the court had subject matter jurisdiction in this case under KRS 159.140 and KRS 630.020 because the school had not followed the jurisdictional requirements to bring this claim against…”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 159.140(l)(e) — 1 case
B.H. v. Commonwealth, 329 S.W.3d 360 (Ky. Ct. App. 2010). “060(2) and KRS 159.140; (c) the finding of guilt must be set aside because there was no admission and no plea colloquy; and (d) the court committed reversible error by committing B.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 159.140(l)(f) — 1 case
N.K. v. Commonwealth, 324 S.W.3d 438 (Ky. Ct. App. 2010). “060(2) and KRS 159.140, we vacate the orders. We also believe it necessary to resolve an issue relating to N.”
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