Giving students a choice of which school to attend can sometimes
be a double-edged sword.
On one hand, educators want to provide students the best
educational opportunities whether or not that is at their school;
on the other hand, educators must maximize attendance to boost
funding during the state’s budget crunch.
Giving students a choice of which school to attend can sometimes be a double-edged sword.
On one hand, educators want to provide students the best educational opportunities whether or not that is at their school; on the other hand, educators must maximize attendance to boost funding during the state’s budget crunch.
Interdistrict transfers are requests by students to attend a school outside of their district of residence. The various superintendents within the county have agreed to tighten up on interdistrict transfer approvals to generate as much money as possible.
“There is a correlation between the budget problems (and tightening up on transfers). We have to look at our revenue and expenses and try to find money we can recoup,” said Peter Gutierrez, assistant superintendent of the Hollister School District. “We have to ask ourselves, ‘Why is it that we have so many that are leaving the district?’ There’s no reason to deny a request if there’s validity to it.”
About 6,000 students enroll with the HSD each year. Currently, the district has almost 300 students attending other schools on interdistrict transfers, Gutierrez said. Spring Grove School makes up 28 percent of those transfers with Southside School coming in with 26 percent for the 2003-04 school year.
Requests can be made for a variety of reasons stated in the California Education Code, which include child care, employment, special instruction, special needs and continuity of instruction. The most common request is because of child care and employment – a place for students to go after school until parents get off work and having children in the same town that the parent works in.
“It comes down to where the child care is located and where the jobs are,” Gutierrez said. “We don’t have a lot of employment here and child care is a real issue in our community. From what I’ve seen, there really aren’t enough (child care facilities).”
For the 2003-04 school year, 42 percent of the HSD’s interdistrict transfers were for employment and 40 percent for child care. It’s important for some parents to have their children attending school close to them in case of an emergency, and a lot of people who live in Hollister work in Salinas, Morgan Hill, Gilroy and the San Jose area.
Most of San Benito High School’s Interdistrict transfers have been to North Monterey County High School’s Independent Study Program. More than 30 students were attending the Castroville school because SBHS did not offer a long-term independent study program. This year is the school’s first year offering the program, with more than 60 students currently enrolled.
“We wanted to bring our students back into their home community,” said Jean Burns Slater, superintendent of the SBHS District.
Also, SBHS and Anzar High School have a reciprocal agreement since many students want to attend a high school with a big campus while others want a small-school environment, Slater said.
An important consideration for all interdistrict transfers is keeping the student’s family together. Most districts will approve requests like they have in the past, allowing the student to stay at the same school for a period of time.
Depending on the school district, schools receive between $4,500 and $5,500 per student per year based on the school’s average daily attendance, not enrollment. The HSD will receive around $4,700 this school year, according to Gutierrez, with the SBHSD receiving about $5,400, Slater said.
Because school districts are looking to reduce the number of interdistrict transfers, educators expect more appeals.
“I anticipate this being a pretty big issue come next semester,” said Tim Foley, San Benito County superintendent of schools. “I see the potential for a lot of activity in this. It strikes close to home.”
If district officials deny a request, the student may appeal it within the district. If denied again, the student can appeal it to the county office of education. Because of his anticipation, Foley is setting up a workshop for the County Board of Education on interdistrict transfer requests.
The important thing for administrators, however, is to remain financially solvent.
“We’re being more cautious about all of our financial situations,” Slater said.
