South Kingstown committee sends proposed homeschooling policy back to subcommittee after parents raise timing, enrollment and enforcement concerns

The South Kingstown School Committee voted unanimously to send a draft homeschooling policy (policy 7710) back to the policy subcommittee for further revision following extended public comment and committee discussion.

The vote followed testimony from several residents who said the draft policy would impose new delays on families who choose to teach their children at home. "From the beginning, we have followed Rhode Island law submitting our letter of intent and receiving a letter of approval without issue," said Britney Appuzzo, a parent who identified herself as homeschooling her kindergarten child. Appuzzo told the committee that after submitting required notifications she and her family then received additional and what she called unnecessary requests for information and repeated visits from a truancy officer.

Tom Balomas, who also described himself as a Wakefield resident and homeschooling parent, told the committee he was concerned a change in the draft policy would prevent home instruction from beginning until the district completed its administrative approval. "The approval process is an administrative process and . . . can be subject to various delays," Balomas said. "Under the new policy, a delay in the administrative side of things would result in a delay in the student having access to the educational environment that is best for that individual."

Committee members and district staff debated the legal and operational implications during the second reading of the policy. James (presenting the item) told the committee he recommended sending the draft back to the policy subcommittee for more work in light of the comments. Legal counsel (referred to in discussion as Mr. Pollock) explained the district was relying on Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) guidance and past practice in interpreting state requirements. He said RIDE and a hearing‑officer opinion the district consulted had indicated that a student should be registered in the district — and that local approval processes may be required — before a homeschool program can be authorized. He also acknowledged this interpretation is a point of contention in the community.

Members discussed several possible changes to the draft policy raised by parents and trustees, including: - Allowing families to begin home instruction upon submission of a letter of intent rather than waiting for formal committee approval, while specifying documentation that must be filed during the approval window. - Clarifying whether students must be formally enrolled in the district before a homeschool application is considered, and what proof of residency is required. - Preserving families' privacy while ensuring the district can meet supervisory and attendance reporting obligations if a program is approved.

Committee chair Carol Vetter confirmed the policy will return to the policy subcommittee, which is scheduled to meet April 7, and encouraged public commenters to participate. The motion to refer the policy passed without a roll‑call tally recorded in the meeting transcript.

The school committee did not adopt the draft policy at second read. Committee members said they want to reconcile the district's statutory and oversight responsibilities with parents' concerns about timely access to home instruction and about administrative burden.

Next steps: The policy subcommittee will review public comments and legal guidance, and the committee said it will consider revised language in a future meeting. Several speakers asked the committee to pursue clarification from RIDE if the department's interpretation differs from the plain language of state law.