Jones County resident questions school system's new home visit policy

A new residency verification policy implemented by Jones County Schools is raising concerns among some residents.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:05am

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A Jones County resident is speaking out after the school district began sending law enforcement officers to families' homes to verify that students actually live at the addresses listed in their residency affidavits. The policy, which went into effect this school year, is a significant departure from previous years, when families only needed to provide mail, a photo ID, and sign an affidavit to prove residency.

Why it matters

The new policy has raised concerns among some residents who feel it is an invasion of privacy, particularly for families who have had the same address for years. The school district says the policy is in place to ensure student safety and that taxpayer dollars are directed to the right school districts.

The details

Kristen Williams, a lifelong Jones County resident, said she was caught off guard by the change and felt the district could have done more to prepare families. Williams, who lives with her mother - a heart transplant recipient - and her middle school-aged son, said she received a letter and emails outlining the new process but felt the district could have done more to prepare families. She added that her mother's health condition and the family's dog make the unannounced visits particularly difficult to manage.

  • The new policy went into effect at the start of the current school year.

The players

Kristen Williams

A lifelong Jones County resident and graduate of Jones County High School who is speaking out against the new residency verification policy.

Jessica Graves

The superintendent of Jones County Schools, who stated the policy was put in place to ensure student safety and that taxpayer dollars are directed to the right school districts.

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What they’re saying

“It said that law enforcement will be coming to your home. That kind of took me aback. But then I received a phone call from a family member saying that they came into my house to make sure there was a bed.”

— Kristen Williams, Jones County resident

“I feel like it's just an invasion of privacy. A little bit more transparency and maybe a little bit more heads up would probably have helped people prepare.”

— Kristen Williams, Jones County resident

The takeaway

The new residency verification policy implemented by Jones County Schools has raised concerns among some residents who feel it is an invasion of privacy, particularly for families who have had the same address for years. The school district says the policy is in place to ensure student safety and that taxpayer dollars are directed to the right school districts, but some residents argue more transparency and advance notice could have helped prepare families for the changes.