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SAU 48
Procedures for Homeless Students
Background
The McKinney-Vento Act is federal legislation, Title X Pact C of the No Child Left Behind Act
(2002). The McKinney-Vento Act ensures educational access and success for children and youth
experiencing homelessness. The reauthorization of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance
Act (42 USC 11431 et seq.) added the requirement that all local school districts identify a local
homeless education liaison. Every district, whether or not it receives a McKinney-Vento sub- grant, is required to designate an appropriate staff person to serve as the local contact (homeless
education liaison for homeless children and youth). SAU 48 will follow all the laws, rules and
procedures provided for in 42 USC 11431.
Liaison Role and Responsibilities:
The local liaison serves as one of the primary contacts between homeless families and school
staff, district personnel, shelter workers and other service providers. The liaison coordinates
services to ensure that homeless children and youth are identified, enrolled in school, have access
to transportation to the school of origin, and have the opportunity to succeed academically.
Contact Personnel:
Kyla Welch, District Level Homeless Coordinator, phone 536-1254 or kwelch@pemibaker.org
Ethel Gaides, Title I Coordinator, phone 536-1254 or egaides@pemibaker.org
Kirsten Williams, Homeless Coordinator for Campton Elementary School 726-3931 or
kwilliams@pemibaker.org
Janna Swanson, Homeless Coordinator for Holderness Central School 536-2538 or
jswanson@pemibaker.org
Brian Sheahan, Homeless Coordinator for Plymouth Elementary School 536-1152 or
bsheahan@pemibaker.org
Mike Currier, Homeless Coordinator for Plymouth Regional High School 536-1444 or
mcurrier@pemibaker.org
Amy Morrison, Homeless Coordinator for Russell Elementary School in Rumney 786-9591 or
amorrison@pemibaker.org
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Danielle Morse, Homeless Coordinator for Thornton Central School 726-8904 or
dmorse@pemibaker.org
Jessie Mardis, Homeless Coordinator for Wentworth Elementary School 764-5811 or
jmardis@pemibaker.org
Jessie Mardis, Homeless Coordinator for Waterville Valley Elementary School 236-4700 or
jmardis@pemibaker.org
A. The Federal and State governments require school districts to identify and provide
services for homeless students.
Any student who meets any of the following criteria shall be deemed homeless:
Shared the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or
a similar reason;
Lives in a motel, hotel, trailer park, or campground due to lack of alternative
adequate accommodations;
Lives in emergency or transitional housing;
Was abandoned in a hospital
Awaits foster care placement
Has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designated
for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; or
Lives in a car, park public space, abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or
train station or similar setting.
B. Homeless Students shall be provided a free and appropriate public education in the same
manner as all other students in the district and shall not be stigmatized or segregated on
the basis of their homeless status. Homeless students shall not be denied enrollment based
on a lack of medical records, immunization records, school records, proof of residence, or
any other records usually required for school enrollment.
No School Board committee policy, administrative guideline, or practice shall be
interpreted or applied in such a way as to prevent the immediate enrollment or attendance
of homeless students or inhibit their potential for school success.
A homeless student, including an unaccompanied homeless youth, shall be allowed to
enroll in either his/her school or origin, that is, the school he/she attended when he/she
become homeless, or in any public school that non-homeless students who live in the
attendance area in which the child is actually living are eligible to attend.
Students shall be permitted to remain at their school of origin during the entire time they
are homeless. Furthermore, they shall be permitted to remain at their school of origin
until the end of any academic year during which they move into permanent housing.
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If a parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth disputes a school placement decision, the
district must provide a written response.
Transportation shall be provided to and from the school or origin at the request of the
parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth in accordance with the provisions of the
McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act.
Homeless students are entitled to Title I services such as extended day, preschool and
supplemental tutoring instruction, clothing and school supplies. Homeless students
qualify for free lunch.
C. Responsibilities of school district personnel:
1. Building Principal
a. Appoints a professional staff member to be the building homeless liaison and
posts student and parent homeless information posters in the office.
b. Provides information about the rights of homeless students and include in
student/parent handbooks.
c. Enrolls homeless students without delay
d. Ensures homeless students participate in New Hampshire State Assessments.
2. Building Secretary
a. Secretary will record and update when necessary the student’s status in the
district’s SASID system.
3. Building Homeless Liaison
a. Make a determination if the student is homeless. Consultation is available
from the District Homeless Coordinator as well as the New Hampshire DOE
Homeless Consultant
b. Inform the building principal if the student is homeless
c. Provide the parent/guardian with a copy of his/her rights under the McKinney- Vento Homeless Act
d. Maintain a log of all homeless students including date of entry and exit
e. Ensure the student receives the benefits under the McKinney-Vento Act
i. Title I services: tutoring, clothing, school supplies, after school
programs: Contact District Title I Coordinator
ii. Transportation: Contact District Level Homeless Liaison
iii. Free Lunch: Contact SAU office at 536-1254
iv. If the homeless student last attended school in another New Hampshire
school district and the parent/guardian wishes their child to continue in
that school, contact the District Homeless Coordinator who will