Student Re-Registration Stopped In New Rochelle

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Plans to have students reregister for New Rochelle public schools have been halted. State Education Department officials said that mandatory re-registrations of students conflict with state regulations.

Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia sent a guidance document to all state school districts July 19 saying that, while districts may think that having students register means the districts are more responsible fiscal stewards, the same results can be achieved by following registration, enrollment and residency processes, the Journal News said.

The New Rochelle district hired a former Port Chester schools superintendent for $600 per day to develop and coordinate the re-registration plan.

The New York Civil Liberties Union took issue with New Rochelle’s plan to re-enroll students over concerns that the process could discriminate against homeless students, low-income households, immigrants and students of color.

“Requiring all families in the district to present documentation of a student’s address, birth date and other information may lead to eligible students being denied enrollment in New Rochelle schools, and may discourage parents from attempting to register their children,” the NYCLU said in a statement.

Photo credit: NRED.org.