The San Benito County Office of Education Board of Trustees is
feeling the effect of school districts allowing fewer interdistrict
transfers.
For the second time this school year, the Board denied an
interdistrict request appeal Thursday night.
The San Benito County Office of Education Board of Trustees is feeling the effect of school districts allowing fewer interdistrict transfers.
For the second time this school year, the Board denied an interdistrict request appeal Thursday night.
After a 45-minute hearing, the trustees voted 4-1 to deny the interdistrict transfer appeal of Caleb Rogers.
Rogers is a sophomore attending North Monterey County Unified School District’s Independent Study Program. His district of residence is the San Benito High School District. Because SBHS now has an Independent Study Program, administrators felt it unnecessary for Rogers to attend North Monterey County.
“Historically, the district has granted transfers, especially if there were programs we didn’t have,” Superintendent Jean Burns Slater said. “The coordinator of independent study at North Monterey County encourages students to stay in their district of residence. We want to introduce Caleb to our program. He’s never attended San Benito High School District.”
Rogers’ mother, Sara Rogers, argued parents should have the right to send their children where they want to.
“Caleb has been with the North Monterey County Independent Study Program for two years. We’re happy with how Caleb has been doing in the program,” Sara Rogers said. “As a parent, don’t I have the right to decide where Caleb is best served?”
Trustee Mitch Dabo argued that, according to Board policy, the Board may only legally approve an appeal if it meets one or more of eight reasons:
– The district of residence does not offer a particular educational program required by the student;
– Substantial hardship or cost would result if the student were required to attend their district of residence;
– There is substantial danger to the student’s health or safety to and from school in their district of residence;
– There has been a transfer of territory between districts;
– Other conditions exist which would result in a “substantial and manifest improvement” in educational services for the student if they attended outside their district of residence;
– The student’s residence is located so that required travel to get to the district of residence is through the district of requested attendance;
– The student’s residential property is located within the boundaries of two school districts; and
– The Board shall give consideration to the child-care needs of the student.
Dabo asked Sara Rogers if she thought Rogers’ case fell under any one of the eight reasons. She said no.
“There are eight areas the County Office of Education has jurisdiction over. We can only work within this framework,” Dabo said. “I understand where you’re coming from, but that’s not the way it works.”
Sara Rogers continued to argue parents should have a choice where their children go. Slater stated that, in the public education system, school choice comes in the form of local control through the election of trustees.
The Board voted 4-1 to deny the appeal. Trustee Mary Ann Filice voted to overturn the appeal. She said she felt the fifth criteria could be stretched in this case.
Rogers must start attending SBHS’ Independent Study Program Dec. 1 – before the end of the fall semester, Sara Rogers said.
This is the second interdistrict transfer appeal hearing the Board has heard – the first in July.
In other business:
– The Board approved a field trip for San Andreas Continuation High School students to the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center at Stanford University for Dec. 17.
– County Superintendent Tim Foley announced that the County Office of Education completed a settlement with certificated employees. The negotiations took one meeting and a 3-percent raise was agreed upon. Next up is negotiations with classified employees, Foley said.
– Foley reported on the interdistrict attendance workshop held Oct. 23.
“The purpose (of the workshop) was to get everyone on the same page to prevent an onslaught of appeals,” he said. “We need to make sure everyone’s policies are in line and legally defensible.”
– Foley announced that 2004 Teacher of the Year Chauncey Veatch will be the guest speaker at the Joint Boards of Trustees’ meeting March 24.
– There were no public comments.
– The Countywide Christmas Party will be held Dec. 5 at the Elks’ Lodge.
The next Board meeting is Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. at the County Office of Education, 460 Fifth St.
