Post by gatormom on Mar 18, 2008 5:53:57 GMT -5
West bills out-of-district student as residence checks intensify
The Beacon
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/847913,2_1_AU18_WEST_S1.article
March 18, 2008
By HEATHER GILLERS hgillers@scn1.com
AURORA -- A tuition bill is on its way to one West Aurora pupil as part of a new initiative to weed out students who attend the district's schools but do not live within its boundaries.
Board members Monday reviewed the plan to scrutinize documentation of student addresses and educate administrators about residency requirements.
Administrators have so far identified "more than 20 students" who do not live in the district but are enrolled in West Aurora Schools, said district spokesman Mike Chapin.
"This is a crime," said Superintendent Jim Rydland. "We are systematically and consistently going to investigate."
The effort will target families who falsify their addresses or falsely declare themselves homeless in order to enroll children in West Aurora schools.
Rydland characterized past enforcement as "inconsistent."
The new "residency verification process" unveiled Monday will ask families of students whose records raise questions to meet with school officials and even allow staff to visit their homes.
"People that live in other districts do not really add (tax revenue) to our district," said School Board President Al Rhea, "The cost is pretty substantial."
While Rydland said he had no data on where the students identified as non-residents live, some hinted that they might come from the financially strapped East Aurora schools.
"There are neighboring school districts that might not have passed referendums," Rhea said.
West Aurora voters last year narrowly approved a tax rate increase to fund operations. Students who do not live in the district must pay $9,000 to attend West Aurora schools, Chapin said.
The non-resident student identified Monday is the first of many the school district expects the new scrutiny to uncover. Next up for review are the students' siblings.
The Beacon
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/847913,2_1_AU18_WEST_S1.article
March 18, 2008
By HEATHER GILLERS hgillers@scn1.com
AURORA -- A tuition bill is on its way to one West Aurora pupil as part of a new initiative to weed out students who attend the district's schools but do not live within its boundaries.
Board members Monday reviewed the plan to scrutinize documentation of student addresses and educate administrators about residency requirements.
Administrators have so far identified "more than 20 students" who do not live in the district but are enrolled in West Aurora Schools, said district spokesman Mike Chapin.
"This is a crime," said Superintendent Jim Rydland. "We are systematically and consistently going to investigate."
The effort will target families who falsify their addresses or falsely declare themselves homeless in order to enroll children in West Aurora schools.
Rydland characterized past enforcement as "inconsistent."
The new "residency verification process" unveiled Monday will ask families of students whose records raise questions to meet with school officials and even allow staff to visit their homes.
"People that live in other districts do not really add (tax revenue) to our district," said School Board President Al Rhea, "The cost is pretty substantial."
While Rydland said he had no data on where the students identified as non-residents live, some hinted that they might come from the financially strapped East Aurora schools.
"There are neighboring school districts that might not have passed referendums," Rhea said.
West Aurora voters last year narrowly approved a tax rate increase to fund operations. Students who do not live in the district must pay $9,000 to attend West Aurora schools, Chapin said.
The non-resident student identified Monday is the first of many the school district expects the new scrutiny to uncover. Next up for review are the students' siblings.
