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Board holds first reading on staff‑residency policy; proposal would allow staff children in kindergarten when home district lacks full‑day K
Summary
Board members reviewed a first reading of a revised residency policy that would allow district staff to enroll kindergarten-age children when the staff member’s home district does not offer full‑day kindergarten. Board members asked for more data and noted the district has used the practice only twice in recent years.
The Flossmoor SD 161 Board of Education considered a first reading of revised residency policy language to clarify whether staff members may enroll their children in the district when the staff member’s home district does not offer full‑day kindergarten.
District administrators said the most frequent request is for staff to enroll kindergarten-age children because some neighboring home districts offer only half‑day kindergarten. The draft language presented would permit a staff member’s child to attend district kindergarten only if the child’s home district does not offer full‑day kindergarten; the district attorney recommended putting the allowance explicitly in the residency policy if the board chooses to permit the practice.
Board discussion and clarifications - Frequency and scale: Staff reported that in the past five years two staff members used this provision. A board member characterized the cost “at a theoretical cost of $13,000-ish per student,” which staff noted is a rough average and not an itemized district charge. - Limits in the draft: The proposed language conditions eligibility on the staff member’s home district lacking full‑day kindergarten and returns the child to the home district in first grade under the presented language. - Equity and taxpayer concerns: Some board members raised concerns that nonresident use of district seats could affect district taxpayers and recommended caution; others noted the practice has been used sparingly to retain staff during teacher shortages.
Outcome and next steps: The item was presented as a first reading; board members requested additional questions and public feedback. Staff will provide any additional data requested and the item will return for a future second reading or adoption vote.
