Residents ask Haverford Township SD to revisit rule that restricts exchange-host families

Dr. Andrew Hart, a Haverford Township resident, told the board on March 19 that administrative regulation 202.1 requires host families to already have a student enrolled at Haverford High School and that the provision can prevent capable families from hosting international exchange students.

"We were surprised to learn that administrative regulation 202.1, which requires host families to already have a student enrolled at Haverford High School, effectively prevents us from participating," Hart said. He described completing background checks, interviews, references, and home visits and asked the district to review the regulation and consider waivers or exceptions because surrounding districts do not impose the same restriction.

Hart said the restriction may unintentionally exclude families such as infertile couples and empty nesters who are prepared to host and support an exchange student. He thanked Dr. Hayes and Dr. Parker for continuing the conversation and requested that time-sensitive placements receive expedited consideration or waivers if a broader policy review extends beyond placement deadlines.

The board did not take immediate action on the request during the meeting; Hart said he appreciated prior conversations with administration and urged formal policy review to align practice with the district's stated commitments to inclusion and access.