Does it really matter is the grand scheme of things? I think everyone needs to get over it and move on to things in this world that are more important. So what if people and transporting their children to a school to receive a quality education. So what?!?!?!
If a child is receiving an education to make him/her a productive and successful person, then so what. I've read these blogs over the years, and there's a lot of tip toeing going on. Just say it! People are looking around at their neighborhoods, and their schools, on the roads, and in the grocery stores, and seeing too many minorities. And then the "white flight" begins. But for those that can't or don't want to move, you've cashed in your "I know people at the FCBOE card" and looked for every possible way (legally of course), to investigate, check up, and verify if a child is attending a Fayette County school legally. Talk about resources. How much does that job pay? Everybody wants their child(ren) to get a good quality education. EVERYBODY. To the whites of Fayette County: there are more lessons for your child to learn in this thing called life. Diversity will help your child in this very diverse world. To all of the minorities of Fayette County: educate your children. It's still true. As a minority, you can't have the same credentials, you must bring more knowledge to the table.

The question is who is going to keep it real legal and fair to those paying the bills. I have observed and written down 10 out of county tags in the car pool lines but haven't turned any of them in to be "investigated" because I don't KNOW they are breaking the law. I only suspect they are. I'm asking the question about children (living with relatives and attending Fayette County Schools) who's legal gaurdians don't live here. Normally, I'd think it is not my problem and I would just "get over it". It becomes my business when the FCBOE is considering busing my children out of town to a new middle school because the neighborhood school (a golf cart or bike ride away) is over capasity.

Prior to all of the coffee house talk about the changes in Fayette County, did you ever write down a car tag number while dropping your kids off at school say 2 years ago?

I took down two last year and one of those same cars showed up again this year. Interesting thing is that I've not noticed it in the last two weeks. Could they be laying low? Maybe.

Two or more years ago, did you write down car tag numbers? I don't think so. That's what I'm questioning. You said that you wrote down car tags last year. Bussing your child was not an issue then. So, what made you take the time to write down a car tag number. What? And keep it real, please.

Keeping it real is right. I didn't write down any tag numbers "two or more years ago". So, back to the primary point which is not the out of county students for my original question: Is it legal for students to live with relatives and go to Fayette County Schools? I find it interesting that "the school system" is listed as one of the groups doing this meeting. Hopefully they will be responsible and take the opportunity to inform the grandparents about the law. Maybe some of them don't realize they could be prosecuted.

If you live in Fayette County you can attend school here.

If you sign an 'affidavit' saying you live here, your child can attend.

If you are legally declared 'homeless' you can attend school here.

If your parent is a school system employee, you can attend school here on 'special permission' (even if you live out of county or out of district).

If you live with a relative or adult who has LEGAL CUSTODY of you (custody changed through the courts) you can attend school here.

If you are out of county or out of district and are willing to pay tuition, you MAY be able to attend school here.

If you attended school here during high school but move during your senior year, even to another county , the school system will usually grant you 'special permission' and allow you to finish high school, or at least the semester, here.

And last but not least, if you play football for Whitewater High School, and are good enough, regardless of where you live, you can attend high school there.

I think that about covers it.

By the way, all of this information is available by reading school board policy.

I not only had to sign an affidavit for all 3 of my kids, but had to send a copy of a current electric bill and the deed to my house - to the elementary school, the middle school, and the high school. How are these out-of-district (illegal) kids getting away with this?

The affidavit process involves proving that you live in Fayette County and/or that the student (who may or may not be related to you)lives with you. Those are two seperate issues.

Your bills (two pieces with your address) are to prove YOU are a resident. A water bill and a power bill or lease would be plenty. Some people cannot produce those documents and sign and affidavit to state that they are a resident. That is issue one.

People also sign affidavits to state that the student lives with them and they are the legal guardian. That is issue two.

Affudavits are done at the county and not at the schools. If you look at the arrest case of the two women being prosecuted, you will see that it is for filing a false affidavit stating the lived in Fayette County (issue one).

You may also recall this excerpt from an article in the AJC:

"Earlier this month, school resource officers began checking up on 275 high school students whose parents could not provide the typical proof of residency this year, such as a rental agreement or utility bill.

Once those cases have been investigated, Assistant Superintendent Sam Sweat said they'll look into the addresses of middle school students, then elementary schoolers.

Police are verifying the addresses of each family that completed a "residency affidavit" —- an enrollment form on which they swore they lived in the county —- as part of a crackdown on out-of-county students sneaking into Fayette schools."

Sounds like you just simply provided what they asked for - unlike at least 275 others.

Hope this helps clear up the confusion.

Are YOU talking to ME about diversity? LOL ... you don't get out much do you. I am almost 70. I went in to the military when we were not allowed to be in the same regiments as the whites. My family has lived in Fayette County since I was a kid. After 27 years in the military, I retired in 1985. I went through the 60s while in uniform. I retired again in 2000 from my own business. I now spend over 17 thousand dollars a year in property taxes here in Fayette County. What happens in the school system is MY business and you better make it yours too! There are rules and boundries for a reason and the board and the Superintendant better darn sure enforce them. Don't wag that finger at me youngblood and get the race chip off your shoulder!

As per the dollar figure attributed to the BoE, it costs some $7,400/year/student to go to a Fayette county school.

Do the math. I have no desire to pay for my child's "and" someone else's child's education.

Hell, I can't even pay attention.

If it's only 100 students at 7,400 each - let's see that's 7,400,000 (seven million - four-hundred-thousand) Naw...I don't think I'll get over it.

$7,400/student/year * 100 = $740,000.

I'll take the rest in small bills.

(don't get me for typo's anymore, we all make em)

Was at 1000 kids - yada yada ... regardless, I should not have been doing anything, much less math, at 11:30pm. My bedtime is 10:00! Thanks for the correction. With 28 schools I think 1000 is not an unreasonable number but even at 100 I am concerned.

As for the question by keepingitreal - "am I sure about my 'accomplishments'?", I didn't know that I listed any of what I consider to be accomplishments but even at 11:30pm I am pretty sure about what has happened in my lifetime, yes.

P.S. Don't tell the Mrs. I was up that late!! I ain't no OldSchoolFool!

Get a calculator and re-do the math. Are you sure about all of your achievements?

You are still the smartest man I know - I know that\\\'s you \\\"Harold\\\" Your wife told my wife! Ha! See you in SanDiego next week!

\\\"George\\\"

Okay "George Jefferson", don't make me get ghetto on you. Tell your wife no more free tickets if she can't behave! - see you next week young blood. - Call me Sunday.

Whatever

It doesen't matter if it's 'legal'. Number 5 on the varsity at Whitewater High School - lives in Clayton County. Just tell Sweat and DeCotis your student is a big time football player and you want him to go to WWHS... like the 8th grader at WWMS from the FCHS district. The list is actually quite long but there is two examples