District plans residency reverification when students change schools; process to use PowerSchool form

North Andover staff presented a first read of a residency verification and reverification process at the June 5 School Committee meeting.

Mike Grant, who led the presentation, said the policy reiterates existing enrollment requirements (photo ID, evidence of residency and evidence of occupancy) and adds a procedure for re‑verifying residency when students transition between school buildings or when district records suggest an address change. "PowerSchool has our registration program. We can create another form that's just for like a reverification of residency," Grant said; families will be able to upload documents by phone or laptop.

Why it matters

School residency policies determine which children may enroll in district schools and are relevant to tuition, assignment to specific buildings and resource allocation. Community members had raised concerns during the year about consistency in residency checks; district leaders said the proposed process is intended to make reverification routine and more transparent.

Key elements of the proposal

- When to reverify: Staff proposed reverification whenever a student moves between buildings (for example, elementary to middle school) or when mail returns or other evidence indicate a possible change of address. The policy also allows staff discretion to request proof when warranted.

- Documentation: Required items remain the same as the district’s enrollment policy: a photo ID for the parent/guardian; an affidavit of residency; and two pieces of evidence of occupancy (utility bill, mortgage, lease, etc.).

- Digital process and timing: The district plans to implement the reverification process via PowerSchool, allowing families to upload scanned documents. Staff said the digital reverification process will be rolled out in spring 2026 to allow time for testing and communications; existing cases that are already flagged will be handled over the coming summer.

Questions and procedural notes

Committee members asked about enforcement, exemptions and timing. Staff said that some districts allow exceptions for short‑term moves and that appeals to the superintendent are possible; the presentation indicated staff would follow up and that the committee will be asked to approve the revised language at a subsequent meeting.

Ending

The committee treated the document as a first read and asked staff to clarify the language that distinguishes initial verification for new enrollments from reverification during grade transitions. Staff said they will also confirm how appeals to the superintendent will be handled and will provide the revised policy language at the next meeting for a vote.