§ 16-64-1 - Residency of children for school purposes. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 16-64-1

   § 16-64-1  Residency of children for schoolpurposes. – Except as provided by law or by agreement, a child shall be enrolled in theschool system of the city or town where he or she resides. A child shall bedeemed to be a resident of the city or town where his or her parents reside. Ifthe child's parents reside in different cities or towns the child shall bedeemed to be a resident of the city or town in which the parent having actualcustody of the child resides. In cases where a child has no living parents, hasbeen abandoned by his or her parents, or when parents are unable to care fortheir child on account of parental illness or family break-up, the child shallbe deemed to be a resident of the city or town where the child lives with hisor her legal guardian, natural guardian, or other person acting in locoparentis to the child. An emancipated minor shall be deemed to be a resident ofthe city or town where he or she lives. Children placed in group homes, infoster care, in child caring facilities, or by a Rhode Island state agency or aRhode Island licensed child placing agency shall be deemed to be residents ofthe city or town where the group home, child caring facility, or foster home islocated for the purposes of enrollment, and this city or town shall bereimbursed or the child's education shall be paid for in accordance with §16-64-1.1. In all other cases a child's residence shall be determined inaccordance with the applicable rules of the common law. Where a child is aresident in a dwelling which lies in more than one municipality, the parent(s)or guardian shall choose which school district the child shall attend withoutpayment of costs as tuition.