Pontiac students can continue in Waterford schools

The Waterford Schools Board of Education voted 6-1 on Oct. 4 to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Pontiac School District regarding a number of students from the Pontiac district who are currently enrolled in the Waterford district.

Under the memorandum, students who are currently residing in the Pontiac School District but have been enrolled at Waterford schools since the 2011-12 school year, will be permitted to continue their enrollment in Waterford.

The memorandum also states that both parties recognize that beginning with the current school year, former Waterford district resident students who move to a residence within the Pontiac School District may only remain enrolled in Waterford with a written waiver from Pontiac — which has apparently been an issue of concern for both districts.

Otherwise, if Waterford knowingly fails to disclose any impacted students yearly to Pontiac, it will have to pay Pontiac 100 percent of of the per-pupil foundation grant allowance for such students, including any other money generated from those impacted students until they graduate, leave the district, or drop out.

The memorandum will also allow Waterford to receive 75 percent of its foundation grant allowance for impacted students, while Pontiac will receive 25 percent of the total foundation grant allowance, including any other funds generated from the enrollment of impacted students.

The memorandum states that over several years, Waterford Schools has permitted certain students who moved from a residence within the geographical boundaries of the Waterford district to continue their enrollment in it, including those who had relocated to a residence within the geographical boundaries of the Pontiac School District.

Trustee Bob Piggott cast the lone vote against the memorandum.