Malverne Schools Crack Down On Non-Residents

Non-residents using the public schools has been an ongoing issue for the Malverne school district, which is hoping to crack down on the problem by requiring all students to re-register beginning next month.

The district posted a notice on its Web site last week stating: "In our efforts to continue to strive for excellence and to protect our resident's investment in the Malverne School District, the Board of Education has decided to implement re-registration for the school year of 2011-2012."

This isn't the district's only attempt to stop non-residents from using the public schools. They also have an investigator who is charged with looking into specific cases, Thedra McCrae, director of pupil personnel services, told Patch. However, in the 10 years she has been with the district, this is the first time families are mandated to re-register their students. "The last time was many years ago," she added.

McCrae explained that in some cases a family may have lived within the boundaries of the school district when they registered their children, but have since moved.

"It was legal then but not years later," she said.

In addition to cracking down on students who do not belong in the district,  McCrae said, "This also helps us update information that might not be correct such as telephone numbers."

The process will begin with Malverne High School students, who will need to re-register between November and December and then move on to Howard T. Herber Middle School (January-February), Davison Avenue Intermediate School (March-April) and Maurice W. Downing Primary School (May-June).

At this time, families will be asked for proof of residency including a re-registration form, most current tax bill (for homeowners) or utility bill. Non-homeowners will be able to show a lease or landlord affidavit and a current utility bill or bank statement. For more information and to download the form click here.