Fayette County students may be asked to provide a current power bill, along with filling out emergency cards, medical forms and bus route slips in August, if the board of education decides to crack down on residency requirements for children attending the county schools.

There may be 300 or more students currently attending Fayette County schools who live outside the county, according to recent estimates.

While parents must provide proof of residency when they enroll a child in the county school system, there has never been any follow-up. “My residency hasn't been checked in 12 years,” said board Chairman Debbie Condon, who has children in the system.

It's not unusual for someone to move to a neighboring county and continue sending their children to Fayette County schools, according to Condon. “People want to send their children here,” added Mickey Littleton, school board member. “Do we need a private detective to check up on this?” he asked the board Monday night. “Is it feasible?”

Littlefield went on to say that he thought bringing in an investigator would be cost effective. Educating a child in Fayette County costs about $5,000 a year, he estimated.

The issue came up in response to the board's request in February to have its attorneys review the current attendance policy. They saw the suggested modifications as a means of weakening the policy in place. “In my opinion, it is making it easier to come to school here,” said Dr. John DeCotis, Fayette County school superintendent. “Let's stay with what we have and adjust some various points,” suggested Condon.

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