Deputy Russ Reynnells is the Department’s assigned truant officer. The Truant Officer position is a working partnership with the Van Buren Intermediate School District. Deputy Reynnells’ office is located at the Conference Center of the VBISD in Lawrence.

Deputy Reynnells works with all the school systems within the VBISD District: Bangor, Bloomingdale, Covert, Decatur, Gobles, Hartford, Lawrence, Lawton, Mattawan, Paw Paw, and South Haven schools.

Deputy Reynnells works closely with the schools officials, students, parents, Prosecutors Office, Child Protective Services, and the local police agencies to ensure that the guidelines of truancy are followed. Deputy Reynnells also attends various meetings with the schools and is pro-active on helping and encouraging students to attend school.

During the school year of 2006-2007, Deputy Reynnells had a total of 213 referrals, and 76 total prosecutions involving the Truancy Laws. Deputy Reynnells also made a total of 134 home visits throughout the school year.

Deputy Reynnells can be contacted at 269-657-3101 Ext. 895, email reynnellsr@vbco.org, or through the ISD at 269-674-8091.