Many people like to rant and rave about how some parents don’t care about their childs education and the poor quality of their schools, but how many actually do something about? My mother did once she realized that APS were severely lacking in every meaningful way when it comes to quality education. Had I attend the high school I was supposed to (CRIM), my college preperation and critical thinking would not have allowed me to succeed at most tier II colleges; especially in light of the fact that Crim was more about surviving its violent culture vice preparing young minds.

So do I feel any guilt about my mother’s actions…absolutely not. If fact it was well known during my last two years of high school. But there’s no was I would have even heard of, much less been able to graduated from the US Naval Academy or have become a successful Naval Officer without attending DHS.

Now, at the time, DHS was empty (87 people graduated in my class) so overcrowding wasn’t a concern. But if the school are as packed as you say them it is incumbent on CSD to ensure. I just feel sad for those children who are truly without any other options.

Here’s the quote…

“To classify as a resident student, a student shall be required to reside with his/her parent or legal guardian within the city limits.”

I thought that “reside” might be too vague a term and was thinking that something like “primary residence would be less open to interpretation, but the definition for the word make it pretty clear that you can only reside in your permanent residence.

From FreeDictionary.com…
Reside – To live in a place permanently or for an extended period.

So it seems like the rule is already in place. But what’s the penalty?

More so, though, I like this conversation’s direction of actually thinking about the kids, about what constitutes public education, about the responsibility of a community to educate its young in a well-rounded and comprehensive way and empower them to become productive, rather than the tired tirade of how unsavory behaviors might impact any one individual’s tax burden — as though rearing a child was just another opportunity for comparison shopping.

Granted, money is a consideration for everyone but the idea of education is a lot bigger than one’s pocketbook. Kudos to anyone who can tell the difference.

I have attached a link from the City of Decatur School policies.

https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/policy.aspx?PC=JBCA&Sch=4052&S=4052&RevNo=1.11&C=J&Z=P

More important, I think, is the discussion that’s emerged around the example being set. That’s the real issue and, in my opinion, a shame. Thebaron makes a great point that education in Decatur is a community-wide initiative that transcends the schoolyard. Folks who are keeping empty rentals as a way in are depriving their kids of one of the great advantages to living here. And, in the process, they’re instilling a kind of “work that system” ethics that makes for some really despicable people.

Oh, but look at all the money they’re saving!
SD