By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

FAIRFIELD - Sarah Godsey wants to continue classes at Fairfield Senior High School next semester.

Her parents want her to continue her education in the Fairfield Schools.

But the 15-year-old sophomore who uses a wheelchair may have to leave the school because her parents have not found a home within the district boundaries as they agreed to last fall.

Sarah's mom, Becky Godsey, asked the Fairfield Board of Education this week to allow Sarah to remain at the school. She said no three-bedroom, handicap-accessible unit in their Tylers Creek complex has opened up in the section of the complex within the Fairfield Schools' boundaries.

"I'm offering a plea for my daughter,'' Godsey said. "I'm pleading with you that you will open your hearts and see her as a bright spot and allow her to stay.''

The boundary line for the Hamilton/Fairfield schools runs through the complex. Shortly before classes began last August, the Godseys learned their unit was in the Hamilton Schools' side of the complex.

In early September, school officials agreed to allow Sarah and her brother, Philip, a senior, to attend classes in Fairfield for one semester if their parents agreed to move within district boundaries by the end of the semester, Jan. 30.

Both teens have been attending Fairfield schools since kindergarten.

School officials said they would re-examine the situation but made no promises that Sarah would be allowed to stay. Since Philip is a senior and began the year in Fairfield, state law allows him to finish the year, said Superintendent Robert Farrell.

"We are getting ready to ask our taxpayers to approve a levy to pay more money to educate our children in Fairfield. How do I ask the taxpayers to pay to educate another child from another district?'' said Anne Crone, president of the Fairfield Board of Education.

"We did not redistrict. She (Mrs. Godsey) chose her residency. We bought her some time to show compassion for her child.... Hamilton has a wonderful school district.''

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