Proof of residence is defined as documentation by the parent or legal guardian that the child resides at an address within the school’s attendance boundary.

Preferred documentation that can be asked for as proof of residence are:

• Rental/lease agreement, mortgage document or current real property assessment document in the parent/guardian’s name.
• Utility bill for water, electric, gas or telephone that indicates that the billing is in the parent/guardian’s name and is being sent to the house; and

A school can request that one or more of the above be provided.

If none of the above is available, then the school may use other documentation to verify residence. A home visit can be made by school staff should there be questionable documentation.

A person who owns property or business in district, but does not reside in district, is not considered a resident.  In district business addresses may not be used as residences.

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are committing residency fraud if they submit an address that is not their true residence in the application and enrollment process or in other documents submitted to the district. The student will be withdrawn from the district. In addition, the issue will be turned over to law enforcement for possible prosecution, and criminal charges may be filed.

The criminal statute that addresses this is 45-7-203.

Unsworn falsification to authorities. (1) A person commits an offense under this section if, with the purpose to mislead a public servant in performing an official function, the person:

• makes any written false statement that the person does not believe to be true;
• purposely creates a false impression in a written application for any pecuniary or other benefit by omitting information necessary to prevent statements from being misleading;
• submits or invites reliance on any writing that the person knows to be forged, altered, or otherwise lacking in authenticity; or
• submits or invites reliance on any sample, specimen, map, boundary mark, or other object that the person knows to be false.
• A person convicted of an offense under this section shall be fined not to exceed $500 or be imprisoned in the county jail for any term not to exceed 6 months, or both.

If the parents are separated and live at different addresses, the student must physically reside with the custodial parent(s) at the reported in district address for at least 50% of the time.

There are special enrollment provisions for “homeless” students. Please reference the homeless liaison flyer below for information.