Politics & Government
[POLL] Should Johnston Accept Out-Of-District Students for a Fee?
The Barrington School Committee is considering accepting 10 such students next year, for tuition of $12,800 per pupil — do you think Johnston should follow suit?
The Barrington School Committee made a splash earlier this week when they said the School Department would accept out-of-district students willing to pay $12,800 a year to attend Barrington schools. They have since stepped back a bit, but with ever-tightening school budgets, we wondered whether our readers thing the should explore such a proposal here.
“We’re looking at new sources of revenue,” said Barrington Supt. Robert McIntyre in a story on the topic in Thursday's Providence Journal. “This is new. It’s different. It’s an opportunity for us.”
Two things drove the decision, the ProJo reported, the need to raise more revenue and a decline in enrollment.
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As reported by RI Future, however, there could be legal hurdles to such a plan.
“They’d be smart to get a legal opinion first,” said state Department of Ed's Elliott Krieger told RI Future. “We’re concerned with the equity and access of all students in general.”
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On Friday, the school department will shelve the idea unless the tuition it charges covers the cost of educating those kids.
So, what say you, Johnston? Should the Johnston School Department consider such a move? And, if so, would there be takers?
Vote in the poll below and weigh in in the comments section.
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