Farmington Schools Serves 79 Homeless Students in 2011-2012

Farmington School Board members received a report Tuesday night detailing services provided to 79 homeless students during the 2011-2012 school year.

Under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1987, schools must find a way to keep children in the school they attended before they became homeless.

According to the report, costs for getting students from outside the district to school totaled more than $36,000, including taxi fares and gas cards. Officials have recouped $4,647 through cooperative transportation agreements with other districts, and paid $585 to transport students who live in Farmington but are enrolled in other districts.  

The district also waived more than $2,500 in "pay to play" fees for homeless students. Donors took care of $550 in costs for workbook fees, youth center fees, school clothing and supplies.  

About 16 percent of the students considered homeless were seniors, but there was at least one homeless student in every grade, including kindergarten. The 79 students belong to 41 families; eight were in foster care, two were unaccompanied youth, the report indicated. 

Families living on the street, in shelters, in motels or hotels, doubled up with friends or relatives, and children living in foster care or with someone who is not a legal parent or guardian are considered homeless and entitled to services.