Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson has a passion for helping others outside of the courtroom. Through his mission to protect people within the community, including children and families, Thomspon wants to educate those who struggle with truancy. He explained that his role is to protect people by filing criminal charges against those who have broken the law. However, he firmly believes, “Preventing crime can be just as important as holding those who have broken the law accountable. “This important work begins with children and our schools.” Thompson noted on average, one in three students in America misses school for three or more weeks a year, causing concern because those students are less likely to read at grade level and are more likely to drop out of school. “Once this happens, these children are more likely to commit crimes, use drugs and wind up in poverty,” he said. “We can help prevent those outcomes by sending children to school.” The Office of Dispute…