6204 R&P              

temporary membership capping

6204 R&P

As needed to control and stabilize the growth in student membership at overcrowded schools, the Board may temporarily establish a maximum student enrollment (cap) with the designation of an alternate school assignment for students ineligible to attend the capped school.

A.

Pre-assignment to Control Student Membership Growth

1.

The school Board may assign tracts of land to designated schools prior to the development of these tracts.  This pre-assigned school may not be the school in closest proximity to the tract.

2.

Once these tracts of land are pre-assigned they will continue to be assigned to the designated school until such time as the board may change the designation.

B.

Enrollment Capping to Control Student Membership Growth

1.

The following actions will be taken to implement an enrollment capping strategy for a school:

a.

Board action authorizing staff to develop, for board approval, a written resolution to implement an enrollment cap.  The resolution will include the maximum student membership allowed while the cap is in effect, the date of implementation of the capping strategy, and the school year for which the cap is established.  The board will designate the alternate school(s) to which students will be temporarily assigned during the capping period.

b.

Board action to approve the capping resolution; a separate resolution for each school to be capped.

c.

Notification to principals of the capped schools, alerting them to the procedures for implementation.

d.

Posting of school enrollment caps and relevant information and procedures on the site of each capped school.

e.

Current students residing in Wake County who are attending a Wake County Public School and who have proof of residency within the attendance area for the capped school and are living in the home or apartment in the capped school attendance area on or before the date established by the board are eligible to attend the capped school.  These students may remain in their current school to complete the school year.

Families who have a contract to purchase dated prior to May 1 and close on the property within forty-five days of the capped date are eligible to attend the capped school.  A settlement statement should be used to show the closing date.

Students who meet the residency requirements for the capped school and are attending another Wake County school must request a transfer back to base by June 1. 

f.

All students who are enrolled in a feeder school and reside in a node assigned to a capped school on the effective date of the capping plan, and who are promoted to a grade served by the capped school are eligible to attend the capped school.  Students who withdraw or are suspended from their current feeder school, either short-term or for the remainder of the school year, but who would otherwise be eligible to attend the capped school, are eligible.

g.

Students who withdraw or are suspended from their current school, either short-term or for the remainder of the school year, but who would otherwise be eligible to attend the capped school, are eligible.

h.

Rising kindergarten students who have proof of residency within the attendance area for the capped school on or before the date established by the board are eligible to attend the capped school.

i.

Public school or private school students moving into Wake County or private school students attending private schools in Wake County who establish and have proof of residency within the attendance area for the capped school on or before the date established by the board and who register in the capped school by June 1 are eligible to attend the capped school.  These students may remain in their current school to complete the school year.

j.

Students who are retained in their current grade for the next school year and are within the attendance area for the capped school are eligible to attend the capped school.

k.

Students of current Wake County Public School System employees who are currently attending a Wake County Public School are eligible to attend a capped school as transfer students if the capped school is the employee’s workplace.

l.

Students involved in custody proceedings are eligible to attend the capped school if they show proof that custody proceedings are in progress before the effective date of the capping plan, and if they meet residency requirements set forth in these regulations.

m.

Siblings of blended families who have proof of residency within the attendance area for the capped school on or before the date established by the board are eligible to attend the capped schools.

n.

Students of families living with friends or relatives are not eligible to attend capped schools if they establish residency with the family after the capped date.

o.

Students attending a capped school as a transfer student prior to the capped date are eligible to continue to attend the capped school.  The staff in the Office of Growth Management will not approve transfers to a capped school after the effective capped date for students living outside of the attendance area of the capped school.

2.

The following regulations apply to each capped school:

a.

A capping plan is implemented for one school year only and must be renewed or modified by board action on or before early April prior to the school year of implementation.

b.

On the date of implementation of the capping plan an eligible student roster will be created by listing all currently enrolled students.

c.

After the establishment of the eligible student roster a waiting list will be created as students register and will be used to fill new vacancies.  The students will be called back from the waiting list three times a year, within the first twenty days of the opening of the school year, the beginning of second semester, and at the end of the second semester to start the next school year.

d.

The principal at each capped school will be responsible for maintaining an accurate waiting list of students wishing to enroll in the capped school.  These lists will be based on the order in which individual students are registered (first come, first served), by grade.  Depending upon space availability at individual grade levels, siblings may not be admitted to the capped school at the same time.  The parent/student will be given the student’s numerical placement on the waiting lists.  A requirement for placement on the waiting list is proof of residency within the attendance area for the capped school.

Issued: April 21, 1997

Revised: March 15, 2005