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Landlords Keeping Some Kids Out Of School

Many Questioning City's Policy

MAPLE HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Some elementary school students in Maple Heights have not been allowed to start school, because their landlord hasn't made repairs to their home.

But as On Your Side Troubleshooter Chris Caswell reports in Wednesday's Renters' Rights, the city said that it is very serious about its policy.

Many Maple Heights parents called Five On Your Side because their children can't go to school. And it isn't their fault; they blame their landlords and are also questioning their city's policy.

Hakeem Jabori and his sister Isis (both pictured, left) have all the school supplies that they need. But they've already missed two days of school.

"I was mad, because I like to make new friends and learn new things I haven't learned yet," Isis said.

They can't start school because their landlord, David Hornick, hasn't fixed the many violations in the home.

The Maple Heights Board of Education said that it is simply following the residency guidelines set forth by the city. In order to be a resident, you need to have an occupancy permit. To get that permit, your home has to meet health and safety codes. If it doesn't, you don't get a permit, meaning that you're not a resident and that your children can't go to public schools.

Sheila Jabori said that she found out about the policy when she tried to register her children for school in June. She said that Hornick didn't rush to help her out.

"Since June 16, he's been promising," she said. "(He says) 'I'm going to get the permit, Sheila. My plate is full right now, but I'm going to get it.' I'm not last-minute; I want my kids in school."

Sandra Sloan, whose son also did not start kindergarten, said that the city is missing the point.

"I'll comply as a resident and a taxpayer," she said. "The problem is when it overrides and denies my son to go to school today in kindergarten. That's when I thought it was horrible."

Maple Heights Mayor Santo Incorvaia said that once repairs are made, he will see that occupancy permits are issued immediately.

"If the important safety issues are done, we'll issue a temporary occupancy permit," he said.

Major repairs start Thursday for the Jaboris, so by next Tuesday, the children should be in school.

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