State legislators from some of Connecticut’s bigger cities are asking for the decriminalization felony charges for those illegally sending their children to schools out-of-district, but local officials have a different take. What’s yours?
Rep. Bruce Morris (D-Norwalk and Sen. Eric Coleman (D-Hartford) joined with advocates, parents and guardians Wednesday in calling for passage of a bill that would decriminalize the illegal enrollment of students outside their assigned districts.
Under current law, it is a felony for a parent or guardian to enroll a child in a school outside of the district where the child resides. The new legislation would make it a misdemeanor and begin the much-needed process of reforming the state’s residency laws, Morris said at a press conference at the Legislative Office Building.
“We all endeavor to provide our children with the best future possible, and to open up every door of opportunity to them,” Coleman said. “When we penalize engaged parents in such a manner, parents who want their children to thrive in a more positive learning environment, we send a mixed message about how we as a society value parental engagement.”
But with rising taxes and less state funding to support and balance the mill rates, local officials have likened the illegal enrollments to a “theft of services.”
So what’s your take? Is it a good idea to eliminate the criminal element and have these issues sorted out in civil court? Should the state do more to crack down than it has? Tell us in the comments section below.
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