School board discusses transfer policy
Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/rhtn/Scholars/3947/
For years it’s been easy for students to transfer out of the Rogers School District, but more difficult to transfer in. That may change if the school board approves a new transfer policy that was discussed at the board’s study session May 8.
Rapidly growing enrollment dictated the former enrollment policy, Superintendent Janie Darr explained. Now that enrollment growth is slowing, she recommended a second look at the policy.
Communications coordinator Ashley Kelley presented the new policy after explaining that she had consulted with an expert on the state Board of Education on the Arkansas school-choice laws. Under state law, a student who applies for a transfer before July 1, and is accepted in another district, can transfer out. However, a school district can deny other students who wish to transfer out.
The new policy will stop students wishing to transfer out of the district who are not covered by the school-choice law. Since state funding is based on the number of students in a district, keeping the numbers up will be important.
Because the district now has space in most grade levels, it will consider students transferring in on a case-by-case basis, according to the new policy. However, if a transfer means that a teacher will have to be hired or a service added, the request will be denied.
Both the Springdale and Fayetteville districts are considering the same type of changes in their transfer policies, Darr reported.
The board will also look at its facilities-use policy at the next school board meeting. District Business Manager David Cauldwell presented a new policy that will limit long-term lease agreements for use of school buildings. In the past, many churches have used school cafeterias for months at a time.
The facilities-use policy will also change some of the fees charged, giving principals the option of charging a smaller fee for groups that directly benefit the school.