A decision that was made by the Freehold Borough K-8 Board of Education last week is a sign of the times, to be sure.
In revising the district’s registration policy for students who are entering kindergarten or a higher elementary grade, the board has approved a new policy.
The decision represents an effort by the board to ensure that all students who are attending one of the borough’s three schools are borough residents.
Some school districts employ a person whose job is to make certain that every child who is attending school in a district is in fact a resident of that district. The borough’s school board will try to address that issue during the registration process.
At a cost of more than $7,000 per year to educate a child in Freehold Borough schools, the board wants to make certain that taxpayers are paying only for students who are legally permitted to attend school in the community.
The new policy will require an adult to provide four forms of identification to prove residency for kindergarten pupils entering the district and older children moving into the district.
In another change, the board will require that appointments be made for all pupils being registered for school. This sounds like a good idea and one that will allow a district representative to personally meet and screen all children to help determine what educational services they may require.
In a community where money is tight, a dozen or so children who are not supposed to be in the district could make a difference financially and educationally. The board’s new registration procedures appear to be prudent.