The Wake County Board of Education approved on first reading proposed changes to its student transfer policy, asking for public comment and further discussion before a final vote scheduled for April 10.

Staff members recommended changes to better align the policy with the new Proximity Choice Selection plan for student assignment beginning with the 2012-13 school year. Board Policy 6203: Transfer of Student Assignment establishes the procedure for requesting a school transfer and the reasons why a request may be granted or denied. The policy also gives board members clearly defined criteria for evaluating requests and making decisions.

Parents are encouraged to review the entire policy with proposed changes and provide feedback through the online public forum here. Public comment will remain open until April 10, and board members and staff will review comments prior to a final vote.

Below is a list of some of the changes proposed to better align policy 6203 with the new assignment plan. All changes are available for review in the full document.

Reasons Transfer Requests May Be Granted: (Revised)

• A parent may request a change in school for hardship reasons related to before and after school child care for students in kindergarten through grade five.
• A transfer may be approved if an employee requests a transfer to a school in their proximity list for their address that matches the calendar on which the parent is employed.
• In the event of a change of domicile during the school year, the parent(s) may request that student remain in the current school of enrollment, as a transfer student through the terminating grade of the school. In the event that the change in domicile causes a change in the student’s transportation status, the student may be assigned to one of the schools in their proximity list upon parent request. A transfer may be approved for a student attending a magnet school when a change in domicile creates a change in the student’s transportation status, and the request is for one of the proximity schools for the new address.
• A transfer may be approved for WCPSS students to return to their previous school with their previous assignment status when the student is absent for approved education reasons. The absence must be excused in advance using Form 1710.

Reasons Transfer Requests May Be Denied: (Revised)

• Applications for transfer to schools if classes at the school are full and a waitlist remains in place for seats at that school.

No Bus Transportation For Transfer Students: (Revised)

• Reassignment to another school, based upon a voluntary request for transfer, shall result in the waiver of the school system’s requirement to provide transportation, and the parent(s) will assume responsibility for transporting the child to and from school. However, if a transfer is granted to a school in the family’s proximity list, transportation will be provided.