June 10, 2003

Editorial from the Tennessean

Golden rule days for schools

Finding ways to keep school district boundaries intact is a logical step for Tennessee public schools.

A new law passed by the legislature and under review by Gov. Phil Bredesen modestly attempts to ensure that schools aren't financially burdened when students outside a district use their classrooms.

The law provides that parents who fraudulently enroll their children in the wrong school district can be held liable for as much as six years worth of funding for their children. The amount would be based on how much a district spends per child, something between $2,000 to $3,000 depending on the system involved. Parents would bear the legal costs as well if they were sued by the district.

In some places, cross-border schooling has been an issue. Shelby County estimates it gets between 80 and 250 out-of-state students a year. Rutherford County's investigation into the problem turned up 25 families.

This is a reasonable law that should discourage the practice. Tennessee's schools aren't so rich that they can afford to educate any child who shows up at their doorsteps. Resources in most school districts in Tennessee are too precious to permit parents to lie in order to ignore school district lines.

The legislature, the governor and local school districts have far more serious issues ahead in funding education adequately. In the meantime, closing loopholes could make that path a little easier.