RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR TUITION PURPOSES

In order for a student to receive tuition payments for Grades 7-12, he/she must be considered a resident of Southport .

Residency

A resident will be defined by one or more of the following criteria:

1. The student resides in Southport with the parent or guardian.

2. The student is between 18-20 years old, has not yet graduated from high school and resides in Southport.

3. The student is an emancipated minor and resides in Southport.

4. The student is a state ward who has been placed in Southport .

5. The student has been placed in Southport by a state agency in a residential placement.

Guardianship

Guardianship is created by court appointment and allows the guardian to have all parental rights with respect to the minor.

Determining Residency

Residency shall involve something more than purchasing property in Southport . A residence must be a place where important family activity takes place during significant part s of each day; a place where the family eats, sleeps, works, relaxes, and plays. It must be a place which can be called "home".

Residency/Separated Parents

If the parents of a student are separated or divorced and residing in different school districts, it is understood that the student may attend school in either district if the parents have shared parental rights and responsibilities.

Exceptions to the General Rule of Residency

As per 20-A MRSA, Section 5205.

If the superintendent determines that it is in the best interest of the student because :

(1) it is undesirable and impractical for the student to reside with the student's parent , or that other extenuating circumstances exist which justify residence in the unit and

(2) the student is residing in Southport for other than just education purposes.

Two superintendents may approve the transfer of a student from one school district to another if:

(1) they find that the transfer is in the student's best interest; and

(2) the student's parent approves.

Adopted: 12/15/98