2nd year for proof of residency in Antioch

School is starting soon and Antioch District 34 would like to welcome their students.

The legitimate students, that is.

The district is holding it's 2nd annual proof of residency event this week. The three-day mandatory screening process ends Friday.

Last year was the first time the district held such an event. Things went well and administrators are hoping for a repeat performance.

Superintendent Scott Thompson said the Antioch schools are becoming more attractive in the region and have been enticing out-of-district students to enroll, forcing the need for the screening. School officials know that students from Wisconsin and McHenry County have slipped into the district in the past.

"Our district is growing and doing well academically," Thompson said. "There is a temptation to cross boundaries. The schools are crowded now and we need to make sure the students actually belong here."

Thompson said it's difficult to quantify exactly how many students may have been screened out last year. Enrollment was down about 20 students, but the reasons for the decrease aren't clear. "The number could be down because folks have left the area or it could be the screening process. There are no hard facts."

District 34 spends $7,900 per pupil annually. There are 2,200 families and 3,200 students attending the five schools.

The screening process is fairly painless and Thompson expects few complaints from parents this year.

He said the event has become something more than just providing documents. It's designed to be a one-stop shopping day for families.

"This is also a way to take care of other business," Thompson said. "Parents can pay fees, get gym uniforms, information about before- and after-school child care and more," he said. "All those things used to be done in piecemeal fashion."

The event is being held in the cafeteria at Antioch Upper Grade School, 800 Highview Drive. Parents can come from 1 to 4 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, Aug. 14. For a list of documents required, visit antioch34.com