California HS Purges Non-Resident Students

(Fremont, California) Today, the 9,500-student Fremont Union High School District will order approximately 300 students to immediately pack their bags and leave if they are unable to prove residency in the district. Parents were informed of the action weeks ago by telephone and mail.

"We're taking a gentle course," said Polly Bove, deputy superintendent. "We'll call them in between classes and call home to let parents know what's going on."

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Still, she said, "We expect to hear from people who will say they didn't think we meant it."

The Cupertino-based school district administration is making the change to cut costs.

Well, my, my, my! In California, no less! They are not going to spend money on kids that don't live in their district. Holy moly! Is this a grassroots message with momentum?

Can we expect the school district to next require that a student be a legal resident?

Let's hope.

[Update 04/05/05] It's being reported that 29 students were called to the principal's office yesterday at Fremont High School, while a large number of others simply left. To keep their kids in school, it's also being reported that some parents may be creating phony evidence of residency.

Dr. Steve Rowley, district superintendent: "There are lots of rumors about mail boxes being sold for high prices and we understand from certain flea markets that dummy-upped property taxes are being sold."

The district says an estimated 300 students who don't belong are costing the district millions, because unlike other districts, their funding isn't based on attendance.

Peggy Raun-Linde, Fremont High principal: "We're a basic aid district, so we get our money from the tax pool, it's one lump sum of money divided amongst all the kids."

According to Cary Matsuoka, Cupertino High Principal, by asking some students to leave, an unknown number of others are being dissuaded from trying to sneak in. Nonetheless, whether students are asked to leave or don't sneak in, the net effect will be additional demands placed on schools in adjacent communities. If the surrounding school districts also impose residency requirements, maybe a regional movement will start and progress toward a statewide initiative.

Or, maybe not.