Baltimore County public schools requiring students to prove residency

Baltimore County (Map, News) - Parents and guardians of Baltimore County public school students entering sixth and ninth grades next fall will first have to prove their children live in the county, under a new policy.

Kara Calder, a schools spokeswoman, said she isn’t sure how many students will be involved.

“It’s a new requirement as part of procedures to verify residency of our students and there have been no concerns that I’m aware of,” Calder said.

The policy targets students advancing from elementary to middle school and those moving from middle to high school.

Letters have been sent to parents notifying them of the process, Calder said.

To prove residency, parents will need to provide their child’s current school with a photo identification, lease or deed and three pieces of mail sent to the home address within the past two months. All documents must have the same address.

County resident Marisa Milam garnered media attention last school year when her two children got kicked out of county schools after officials discovered she’d provided them several addresses within a six-month period.

After proving residency, Milam’s daughter was allowed back in classes last month, at Parkville High School. Her son’s case remains on appeal while he attends classes in Baltimore City.

School board President JoAnn Murphy said she didn’t think the new requirement was anything out of the ordinary.

“It’s just a matter of refiling papers,” Murphy said.

Under school system policy, the superintendent or other school worker may allow a non-county resident to attend county schools. Calder said the policy would not affect homeless students.

drowley@baltimoreexaminer.com

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