School Committee implements revised residency policy

  The School Committee voted 8-0 to implement a revised residency policy during their subcommittee meeting on Monday night at Everett High School.

  According to School Committee Vice Chairperson Michael McLaughlin, who represents ward 6, they deleted the line in the contract that Everett Public Schools “may obtain the services of police or investigative agency personnel” to conduct investigations into a student’s residence. Everett Public Schools can still request additional documentation or use the assistance of the school department’s attendance officers to conduct investigations into a student’s residence. In order to attend the Everett Public Schools, students must reside in the city.

  Students must submit evidence of residency – including a recent mortgage payment or property tax bill, copy of lease and recent rental receipt, residency certification provided by the City Clerk’S Office, or a section 8 or housing agreement – as well as evidence of occupancy, including an excise tax, gas, electric or home telephone bill that is dated within the past 30 days. Newcomer, refugee and homeless students are the sole exception, according to a federal law that requires equal access to a public education.