A new proof-of-residency requirement from the Blaine County School District is aimed at making sure outsiders aren't taking advantage of the Wood River Valley's superior school system.
What makes Blaine County's educational system so superior? The district spends almost twice as much per student per year as the state average.
"As a district we're seeing that a lot of students are circumventing the system and coming in from Shoshone, Fairfield or Richfield to take advantage of the programs that the Blaine County School District has in place that other school districts haven't the budget for," said Mike Chatterton, school district treasurer.
It's not certain how many out-of-county students have been enrolled in Blaine County in the past.
"We're hoping it's very, very few," said Chatterton. "Realistically I don't think there's a lot of students coming up here, but this is a way to find out."
The new residency requirement was approved by the school board earlier this month. The new rule requires that the parents or guardians of students provide proof of Blaine County residency prior to be accepted for registration. It's not just for new students either. Currently enrolled students must also prove residency.
Utility bills, lease agreements, driver's licenses, property tax bills and state tax returns are some of the items that will satisfy the requirement.
The new rule is partly in response to complaints from district patrons, said School Board Clerk Laurie Kaufman.
"Absolutely we're addressing patron concerns," she said. "The problem is they think they're paying for kids who don't live in the district."
School starts for the 2008-2009 school year on Aug. 25. Registration starts on Aug. 7 and will run through Aug. 14.
"This is the best time of year to make sure everybody's on the up and up and to make sure they live in Blaine County," Kaufman said. "This is the cleanest way to do this."
Chatterton said that property owners pay the major share, about 65 percent, of the school district's budget. With higher property values in Blaine than in surrounding counties, that translates into more money available per student.
He said the district spent $16,549 per student in the 2007-2008 school year compared to a state average of $8,400 per student.
Chatterton said he's also aware of complaints from patrons about outsiders enrolling in the district's schools.
"We've been hearing that for several years," he said. "We feel like we owe it to those people to make sure it's not happening."
"It's going to be a major task for the school district to verify residency," Chatterton said. "If we can get the word out before they come in and enroll it will make that process a little easier.
A spokesman for the Idaho State Board of Education said such policies weren't out of the ordinary statewide.
"Each district will have their own policies regarding residency," said Mark Browning, spokesman for the state board. "I don't think it's that out of the ordinary."
Proof of residency
Here's what you need to get your children in school this year:
Two current utility bills, written proof of utility service or lease agreement indicating utilities paid with lease. Items must include name and physical address in Blaine County.
You'll also need one of the following:
Valid Idaho driver's license or state issued identification card, indicating physical address in Blaine County.
A property tax bill showing physical address in Blaine County.
A current lease agreement, again showing physical address in Blaine County.
A notarized affidavit signed and sworn from current landlord or homeowner of physical address in Blaine County.
Idaho tax return, again indicating physical address in Blaine County.
Other documents, subject to school district approval, might be accepted. Still, the documents must show physical address in Blaine County.
Mike Chatterton
