District 107 investigating family's residency status
October 28, 2010
A Countryside woman is questioning whether the rights of three allegedly homeless children from the same family were violated last week when the Pleasantdale Elementary District 107 sent them home on Oct. 18. The mother and her children are "doubling up" or living with a friend, the Countryside resident said, adding the children were back in school on Oct. 20.
District 107 Superintendent Mark Fredisdorf said no children had been expelled, but the family has been under investigation for some time. He declined further comment, citing confidentiality.
The School Board's policy allows homeless students to be admitted "even if the child or child's parent or guardian is unable to produce records normally required to establish residency."
The board's policy echoes federal law protecting the rights of homeless children to an education spelled out in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. The act applies to children sharing housing, living in motels or campgrounds or shelters, or those spending nights in public spaces, like bus stations, train depots, park benches or cars.
Such children attend school tuition free.
District 107's policy challenging a student's residence status states if the superintendent determines a student attending school on a tuition-free basis is a non-resident, for whom tuition is required to be charged, the superintendent shall notify the person who enrolled the student of the tuition amount that is due.
The notice shall be given be given by certified mail, return receipt requested. The superintendent's decision may be challenged at an appeal hearing.
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Is there another name for kicking kids out of school?
These children were EXPELLED! They missed two days of school and would have missed even more if it were not for a community member that cried foul and contacted state authorities.
Wake up and pay attention to the spin, people!!
11 comments:
Wow... what a shame, those poor kids!
That is not nice to do that to children. Our district should be helping a family not trying to hurt one.
I really feel for that mother, It makes me sad that people could be that cruel!!!!!! :(
I don't get it... did the School Board pull the kids out of school without a hearing? That does not make any sense to me!! Why would they do that?
Yes they were yanked out with no warning!! No hearing!!
Is that legal?? What about keeping a child in school??? Who was responsible for doing this unkind act???
I think it is time for a change!!
Superintendent Fredisdorf is not telling the truth. This family lives in my neighborhood. These children were thrown out of school until someone told Dr. Fredisdorf that he was breaking the law. The mother spoke to Dr. Fredisdorf early in the school year and informed him that she had a flood and their home was not livable. Since this family was "under investigation for some time," did Dr. Fredisdorf go to their home to check things out? No, he didn't. Rather than trying to help this family, he chose to have the mom and her kids followed, photographed and videotaped. Dr. Fredisdorf was aware of the family's circumstances and as superintendent should have been aware of the laws that protect families like this. Shame on him and shame on the Pleasantdale Board of Education for kicking these innocent kids out of school and wreaking havoc in their lives.
Kudos to Kristin. I agree! The only way to improve our community is to become involved and make your voice heard. If you are unhappy – get involved, show up for meetings and/or volunteer! We have elections coming up in April and petitions are out. Now is the time to put up or shut up!
What is this poor family supposed to do...
What was the outcome of this family that FREDISDORF threw of school. My family still can not believe that unkind act on children.
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