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202. Eligibility of Resident Students
For School Attendance
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1.Purpose
SC 501
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The Board shall operate the schools of this district for the
benefit of children who reside in the district and who are eligible
for attendance. Except for the specific conditions permitted by
this policy, only children who are legal residents of this school
district shall be permitted to attend Springfield Township Schools.
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2.Authority
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The School District of Springfield Township will not accept
for education in its schools nonresident students, except as required
by the Pennsylvania School Code or as specifically delineated
in this policy.
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SC 1302
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The Board reserves the right to verify the residency of any
student. Before such child may be accepted as a student, such
resident shall file with the Business Administrator appropriate
documentation as set forth in the Administrative Rules.
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3.Guidelines
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Resident Children
To be considered a resident of the School District of Springfield
Township, a child must live in a residence located within Springfield
Township with either his natural or birth parents, with the parent
or another individual having legal custody, or with a legally
appointed guardian.
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SC 1302,
1305
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Nonresident Children Placed In The District
Any child placed in the home of a resident of this district by
a court or by an agency of government shall be admitted to the
schools and shall receive the same benefits and be subject to
the same requirements and expectations as resident children. Official
documentation from the agency involved or a copy of the court
order must be provided to the Business Administrator prior to
admission.
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SC 1306-9
SC 1309
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Residents Of Institutions
A child who is a resident of an institution for the care or training
of children located within this district is not a legal resident
of the district by such placement but shall be admitted to the
schools of this district, and a charge shall be made for tuition
to the district of legal residence in accordance with statute.
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Future Resident Students
A child whose parent has executed a contract to buy, build or
rent a residence in this district for occupancy within thirty
(30) days may be enrolled without payment of tuition for the days
previous to the anticipated date of residency. Parents or guardians
of children who claim admission on the basis of future residency
shall be required to demonstrate proof of the anticipated residency.
If the child does not become a resident of the district within
thirty (30) days, tuition shall be billed for the first thirty
(30) days and for all additional days until such time as residency
is established. The Board reserves the right to verify any claims
of future residency and to remove from school any nonresident
student whose parent or guardian's claim is invalid.
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Former Residents
If a resident parent or guardian moves from the school district
during the current school year, the child of such ex-resident
may continue on a tuition basis until the completion of that school
year.
No tuition payments will be due in the current school year for
a student whose parents or guardians become non-residents after
the first day of the final marking period.
Any student relocating to another school attendance area within
the district during the school year may remain enrolled in the
present area school until the end of the school year, unless the
parent decides to move the child to the new school. Once transferred,
however, the student may not be moved back unless another change
of residence occurs. The student must enroll in the new attendance
area school the following school year.
The district shall not be responsible for the transportation
to and from school for any student residing outside the district's
boundaries or outside a respective school's attendance area.
At the end of the school year, all parents of students who have
moved outside of the district must withdraw these students from
district schools.
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Foreign Exchange Students
A non-resident student who is visiting this country as an exchange
student in a recognized program and who lives in the district
may be admitted to this district upon review and approval of the
Superintendent, without payment of tuition for a period of up
to one (1) year. Host families are required to notify the Superintendent
in writing to seek approval for the enrollment of an exchange
student at least thirty (30) days prior to the expected date of
entry. Host families must also provide required documentation
and registration information before students may be admitted to
district schools.
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Parental Joint Custody
When a student's parents are separated by divorce or marital
separation and living in separate domiciles, and the child is
being raised in joint custody, living between such domiciles,
the parents must declare a designated residence from which the
child will be eligible to attend public school. In such instances
where one of the parent's residence is in another school district,
it is required that the child reside in the School District of
Springfield Township at least fifty percent (50%) of the time
throughout the school year.
A form, verifying residence, with supporting documentation, shall
be completed by the student's parent who resides in the district
and shall be cosigned by the non-resident parent, attesting to
the child's designated residence.
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Emancipated Youth
A student who is less than eighteen (18) years of age residing
independently in the district and not supported or supervised
by his/her parents or another adult, may be registered as an adult
in his/her own right assuming the person presents proof of residency
and provides written verification of emancipation.
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Homebound/Hospital Instructional Services
Resident students who attend non-public schools may access homebound/hospital
instructional services from the district only by enrolling in
the public school during the period of such service. The student
must meet residency requirements as well as standards of eligibility
for homebound instruction.
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Homelessness
Regarding students who are or become homeless, the school district
will comply fully with all applicable local, state and federal
statutes and requirements.
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Enforcement of Residential Status and Due Process Rights
The district has the responsibility and right to use legal means
available to assure that students enrolled in the district's schools
are legal residents meeting the standards of residency cited in
this policy. The district will utilize standard investigation
procedures including home visits, surveillance of students, verification
of information with third parties, social agencies, schools and
governmental organizations and agencies. The district recognizes
that access to public education is a basic property right which
persons cannot be denied without due process.
In cases where non-residency is suspected, parents and guardians
shall be guaranteed the following due process rights:
- Notice of the specific charges;
- The right to an informal hearing;
- The right to retain legal counsel;
- The right to be presented with the names of witnesses against
them and copies of their statements;
- The right to have such witnesses appear in person and answer
questions or be cross-examined.
- The right to testify and present witnesses on their behalf.
- The right to waive the hearing.
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4.Delegation
of Responsibility
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Procedures and regulations necessary for the
implementation of this policy on residency shall be adopted by
the Board of School Directors, upon the recommendation of the
administration and shall be in the form of an administrative rule.
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