Decatur Schools, Mom Settle Litigation Over Residency

The City Schools of Decatur has settled .

Lisa Rudolph will pay $500 to CSD and both sides will dismiss all claims.

However, it's unclear whether Rudolph's three children and a foster child can continue to attend Decatur schools.

Superintendent Phyllis Edwards and CSD lawyer Deborah Golymbieski said in emails that they couldn't discuss personal information about specific students. Rudolph and her lawyer, Cynthia Wright Harrison, didn't return telephone calls and emails seeking comment.

School system policy requires students to live in the city limits with a parent or guardian to receive a free education.

CSD said Rudolph's children shouldn't attend Decatur schools because her legal residence was a house she owned in Lithonia, where she claimed a homestead exemption.

Rudolph said she and the children lived in a Talley Street condo that she purchased.

CSD wanted Rudolph to pull the children out of Decatur schools and pay back tuition -- $42,680 for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years.

The statement in the court file said: "CSD and Ms. [Lisa] Rudolph reached a resolution of all claims pending in the pending civil action, which included Ms. Rudolph's application for injunctive relief to permit her minor children to continue their attendance in CSD and CSD's counter-claim to recover back tuition. Ms. Rudolph to pay CSD sum of $500 and all parties dismiss all claims in the pending litigation."

In January, Rudolph's lawyer said the children were still attending Decatur schools while the case was being negotiated.

Here are other stories about residency and City Schools of Decatur.

What's the best way to define residency? Homestead exemptions? Drivers licenses? Tell us in the comment box below.