Chatham student transfer request deadline is June 30

Posted Monday, May 12, 2008

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Pittsboro, NC - Parents/Guardians of students requesting a transfer assignment are required to annually complete and submit a Chatham County Schools Transfer/Release form for each child in order for the transfer assignment to be considered. This annual assignment request is reviewed by the Board of Education with regards to the following criteria:

• The school requested has sufficient population space for the student assignment;
• The student has maintained an acceptable record of attendance; and,
• The student has maintained an acceptable record of behavior.

Parents/Guardians wishing to transfer a child to a school outside his/her regular attendance area must make such a request in writing by June 30, 2008 for the upcoming 2008-2009 school year. Parents/Guardians may pick up a Transfer/Release Form from the school serving the attendance area of their residence, by contacting the Chatham County Schools central office in Pittsboro, or downloading the pdf form attached at the bottom of the online press release on the district website. This request must be submitted to the Superintendent or his designee for review. A decision will be rendered by July 31, 2008.

Transfer requests are not accepted after the June 30th deadline. Families will be notified in writing of the Board of Education's decision regarding the transfer request.

For a more detailed description of applicable reasons for requesting a school transfer, please see the Board of Education's School Assignment policy number 4150N, below:

Policy 4150N

SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT Policy Code: 4150

The Board of Education believes that in most cases, students should be assigned to school in the assignment area that serves the student's domicile. School facilities have been designed to serve the student population of their respective attendance areas. Proper local school organization and operation, the allotment of teachers and supporting services, effective long-range planning, and the need to reduce mobile classrooms are dependent on a stable student relationship.

A. Assignment Areas

The superintendent will recommend to the Board school assignment areas for the schools in the district.
The assignment areas will be developed in accordance with state requirements and court rulings, the need to serve all school-age children who live in the school district, and the effective use of each school. Assignments will be made in a non-discriminatory manner. The superintendent will review periodically the attendance areas and submit recommendations for revisions to the Board when necessary.

B. Assignment of Students

The superintendent will assign students to particular schools based upon the established assignment areas. However, the Board may reassign students from one assignment area to another or may restrict further assignments, as necessary to meet Board goals.
C. Requests for Reassignment

1. Procedure for Requesting Reassignment Before Notice of Assignment

Before notice is given of assignment for the following school year, parents or guardians may request an assignment to a school outside of their regular attendance area. Such a request must be submitted in writing on a form prescribed by the Board of Education to the superintendent by June 30 and must include the specific reason for the request, pursuant to section E. below. The superintendent will consider and make a determination based upon the best interest of the child, the orderly and efficient administration of the public schools, the proper administration of the school to which assignment is requested and the instruction, health and safety of the pupils there enrolled. A decision will be made and the parent notified by July 31. If the parent is dissatisfied with the superintendent's response, the parent may request the Board to reassign the student as provided below.

2. Procedure for Requesting Reassignment After Notice of Assignment
Within 10 days of notice of the assignment, the parent may request reassignment of the
child to a different public school. The request must specify the reason why reassignment
is sought pursuant to section E. below. If the application for reassignment is disapproved,
the Board will give notice to the applicant by registered or certified mail.
Within five days of receiving the notice of the disapproval, the parent may request a hearing on the reassignment request. The Board or a panel of the Board will hear the appeal. If a panel hears the appeal, the panel's recommendation will be submitted to the full Board for a final determination. At the hearing the Board will consider and make a determination based upon the best interest of the child, the orderly and efficient administration of the public schools, the proper administration of the school to which reassignment is requested and the instruction, health and safety of the pupils there enrolled. The Board will promptly render a decision and notice of the decision will be given to the applicant by registered or certified mail.

D. Transfer of Students During the School Year
The superintendent will consider student requests for transfer to another school during the school year based upon space availability and the rated capacity of the school, the needs of the child, the effect on the school to which transfer is requested, principal recommendations, the allowable reasons for reassignment/transfer as listed in section E. below, and other criteria established by the superintendent. Schools beyond their rated capacities will not receive transfer students.
Parents/guardians may appeal the decision of the superintendent to the Board of Education by filing a written request for appeal to the superintendent.
E. Possible Reasons for Reassignment or Transfer
Students may be reassigned or transferred by the superintendent to another school assignment area within the Chatham County School District for one or more of the following reasons:

1. Change of Residence within the School District
Students whose legal residence may change from one school assignment area to another within the school district during the same school year may choose to finish out that school year in the same school, or attend school in the area to which they have moved. If they elect to remain in the first school in order to complete that year, they will be assigned to the school according to the area in which they live at the beginning of the next school year. Those students whose legal residence changes to another school district will be allowed to finish the remainder of the school year, pursuant to policy 4130N and policy 4135N. Students whose legal residence has changed but who choose to complete the school year at their first school will be responsible for their own transportation to school. Parents who are building a house must provide a building permit showing that their house is under construction in the requested assignment area.

2. Students Moving Into the School District
A student whose parent/guardian plans to move into the Chatham County School District on or before November 1 may be assigned at the beginning of the school year to the school serving the students new domicile. Parents who are building a house must provide a building permit showing that their house is under construction in the requested assignment area.

3. Special Curricular Needs
A student who is unable to obtain required courses or programs in their regularly assigned school may be reassigned to another school within the district which can best meet the student's needs.

4. Hardship
A student may be reassigned or transferred because of extreme or unusual circumstances which affect the student's achievement and/or behavior in school, when it is established that such reassignment or transfer is in the best interest of the student.
5. Children of Employees
A student whose parent/guardian is employed by the Board may be reassigned or transferred to the school or feeder school where his/her parent/guardian works.
6. Unsafe School Choice Transfer under the No Child Left Behind Act
Transfers for students who are victims of violent criminal offenses at school or for students attending persistently dangerous schools as defined by State Board of Education policy will be made pursuant to policy 4152N, Unsafe School Choice Transfer.
7. School Improvement Choice Transfer under the No Child Left Behind Act

Students enrolled in a Title I school that has not made adequate yearly progress for at least two years in a row under the No Child Left Behind Act may transfer to another school in the district that has not been identified for school improvement or identified as persistently dangerous, pursuant to policy 4153N, School Improvement Choice Transfer. In providing school improvement choice transfers, the superintendent will ensure that first priority for choice is provided to the lowest-achieving children from low-income families.

F. Conditions for Reassignment or Transfer

The following conditions apply in regard to any reassignments or transfers made in accordance with subsections C and D of this policy.

o The parent is responsible for transportation (except for school improvement choice transfers for which the district must provide transportation for as long as the original school is identified for Title I school improvement).

o The transfer or reassignment is valid for no more than one school year (except for unsafe school choice transfers and school improvement choice transfers for which the length of reassignment will be consistent with the legal requirements and Board policies 4152N Unsafe School Choice Transfer and 4153N School Improvement Choice Transfer).

o The transfer or reassignment into a school that has an enrollment over its rated capacity will not be allowed except for students approved for transfer during or before the 2006-2007 school year, who will be allowed to remain at the school through the grade span offered in that particular school.

o Any transfer request that is approved based upon false or misleading information will be declared void and the transfer will be rescinded.

o The student must attend school on a regular basis and abide by the school's rules and regulations. Excessive absences, tardiness or disciplinary referrals may be grounds for revocation of the transfer.

G. Assignment to Alternative School

Students will be assigned to the alternative school in accordance with Board policy 3470N-4305N, Alternative Schools.

Legal References: No child Left Behind Act, Public Law 107-110, 115 Stat. 1425-2094; Unsafe School Choice Option Draft Non-Regulatory Guidance, U.S. Department of Education (July 23,2002); G.S. 115C-36, -366,- 367, -369; State Board of Education Policy number SS-A-006.

Cross References: Alternative Schools (policy 3470-4305N), Unsafe School Choice Transfer (policy 4152N), School Improvement Choice Transfer (policy 4 153N) Adopted: June 17, 1997 Revised: April 23, 2003; August 28, 2006. (Revised 4/30/07)

To address questions regarding Transfers/School Assignments, please feel free to contact Lis Rogers at Chatham County Schools by phone at (919) 542-3626 x265, or via email at lisrogers@chatham.k12.nc.us