“You have to live here to go to school here.” – Asst Superintendent John Phelan

Several years ago, James Mullen, the current town clerk, created quite a stir when he said in a public forum that he had it on good authority that there were students attending Milton Schools from outside the district.

It created a stir in part because of the verbal flamboyance with which Mr. Mullen made the announcement and the fact that he did not identify the sources of the information. It struck some people at the time as something of a witch hunt. Perhaps for that reason, then Superintendent Giffune did not put a lot of time and energy against the issue. Regardless, Giffune has left and Gormley has arrived. She decided to look into the problem and it is an issue.

Assistant Superintendent John Phelan is running point on this and we sat down with him to learn more about it.

First, to frame the issue in terms of the scope of the problem; Phelan estimates that between Sept and May of last year there were 100 investigations and 40 exclusions for failure to meet town residency requirements. Forty were identified during the course of the school year and about another twenty were discovered over the summer.

It would seem easy enough to determine residency; but it is not. As Phelan points out, “We do not live in a ‘Leave It to Beaver’ world anymore. We are at the cutting edge of guardianship and residency.” The various socio-economic factors at play result in a variety of “family” situations” and conditions that blur our understanding and require a steady, constant review of policy.

The recession has not helped and Phelan attributes that in part to a significant increase in the problem. Our location and proximity to urban areas is also a contributing factor.As Phelan points out, it is not unnatural to find children here “because parents want better” for them. Sometimes they are here “because of conditions they are trying to escape.”

This past fall Phelan reviewed the residency documentation for 340 incoming students. Like much of education, the sooner the problem can be identified the better. The schools, according to Phelan, are clear in their enrollment procedures. “Every enrollment folder should look the same.”

And how are these students identified? The families of incoming students need to provide proof of residency (e.g. utility bills etc). Students already enrolled may be flagged as possibly being from out of town if mail sent to the address on file is bounced or phone calls go to a number that is out of service. Occasionally, students self-identify themselves through a careless or offhand remark.

However, Phelan is quick to point out that these all cases need careful investigation and professional management. Phelan’s decisions need to satisfy federal law, Department of Education regulations and the Office of Civil Rights.

Assisting in the effort are 2 part time police officers who serve as investigators, paid for by the school system. Phelan is hoping to get a part time dedicated resource and is looking to put a more systematic, efficient process in place. He also consults with school officials in Canton, Randolph, and Braintree to compare notes rulings.

Phelan is paying close attention to the issue. “We treat every case respectfully,methodically, and professionally. I am re-evaluating my position all the time, and asking, ‘are we doing this fairly?’”