Anastasia Kotelnikova, a Russian exchange student caught in the middle of a board of ed policy dispute over missed deadlines and a sponsoring agency's snafu, will start school this week at Starr's Mill High School, following the board's affirmative decision Friday.

During a special called meeting, the Fayette County Board of Education weighed the recommendation made by Superintendent Dr, Dave Brotherton to allow Kotelnikova to attend classes, taking sides on upholding policy versus expediting her school year.

"Maybe we don't need any foreign students in this county...I'm concerned about the fact that we have a policy and we're not adhering to it. I have absolutely nothing against this child.. she is caught in the middle. None of this had to happen if the paperwork had been in on time," said Board of ed member Connie Hale.

"The child is not the legal age to be here," chairman Woody Shelnutt added.

Board member Debbie Condon objected. "We have to do what is educationally sound for the child. The infractions are not their fault," she said, referring to Verlon and Mary Ann Osborne of Brooks, Kotelnikova's sponsoring family.

Dr. Todd agreed with Condon stating that is was "appropriate to back off' and let the federal government deal with any infractions involving the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the sponsoring agency, ASA International. "I feel like before this is all over this agency will be in more trouble... I'm personally angry over the process.. to place the blame on the school district for that agency," Todd said.

The first motion to allow the student to attend classes failed for lack of a third vote with Hale and Shelnutt voting to uphold policy, and Todd and Condon voting to admit Kotelnikova to school.

The second vote was unanimous. All four members voted to admit the student to classes following Brotherton's assertion that it was their legal responsibility, and failure to do so could jeopardize school funding.

"I hope you understand the ramifications of your action," he said of the first motion.

"Until there is some ruling, we have to assume that she is legally in this country. She is living with residents of the school district and we have no choice in this matter. Aside from other funds, you are placing in jeopardy special education funds," Brotherton told the board.

"The last thing I'm going to do is jeopardize any federal funding," Hale added.

Kotelnikova arrived here in August on a J-1 visa, which according to Shelnutt, is issued to 15 year-old. Kotelnikova will be 15 on October 18. School board members and the Osborn's are hopeful that the INS will rule in Kotelnikova's favor, allowing her to remain on Fayette County for the school year.