Requests for Reassignment

1. Procedure for Requesting Reassignment Before Notice of Assignment

Before notice is given of assignment for the following school year, parents or guardians may request assignment to a school outside of their regular attendance area.  Such a request must be submitted in writing to the Student Assignment Office during the Spring Assignment Window* but no later than April 30.  The superintendent shall consider and make a determination based upon:

• the best interest of the child,
• the orderly and efficient administration of the public schools,
• the proper administration of the school to which assignment is requested and
• the instruction, health and safety of the pupils there enrolled. 

A decision will be made and the parent notified by June 30.  If the parent is dissatisfied with the superintendent’s response, the parent may request the board to reassign the student as provided below.

*The Spring Assignment Window time is held during the Second Semester and is posted on the Rowan-Salisbury Schools Website annually.

2. Procedure for Requesting Reassignment After Notice of Assignment

Within 10 days of notice of the assignment or the last publication thereof, the parent may request in writing the reassignment of the child to a different public school.  The request must specify the reason why reassignment is sought.  If the application for reassignment is disapproved, the Superintendent or designee will give notice to the applicant by registered or certified mail.

Within (5) five days of receiving the notice of the disapproval, the parent may request a hearing on the reassignment request.  The Board Appeals Committee will hear the appeal.  If the Board Appeals Committee hears the appeal, the Appeals Committee’s recommendation will be submitted to the full board for a final determination.  At the hearing the board will consider and make a determination based upon the best interest of the child, the orderly and efficient administration of the public schools, the proper administration of the school to which reassignment is requested, and the instruction, health and safety of the pupils there enrolled.  The board will promptly render a decision, and notice of the decision will be given to the applicant by mail, telephone, telefax, e-mail or any other method reasonably designed to achieve notice.

D. Transfer of Students During the School Year

1. Change of Residence

Students whose legal residence changes from one school assignment area to another within Rowan Salisbury School system during the same school year may choose to finish out that school year in the same school or attend school in the area to which they have moved.  If they elect to remain in the first school in order to complete that year, they will be assigned to the school according to the area in which they live at the beginning of the next school year.  Students whose legal residence has changed but who choose to complete the school year at their first school will be responsible for their own transportation to school.

2. Unsafe School Choice Transfer under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

Transfers for students who are victims of violent criminal offenses at school or for students attending persistently dangerous schools as defined by State Board of Education policy will be made pursuant to policy 4152, Unsafe School Choice Transfer.

3. Transfer of Homeless Students

Students who become homeless between academic years or during an academic year may request to remain at the school of origin for the duration of their homelessness or may request to be enrolled in any public school that other students living in the same attendance area are eligible to attend.  Any decision about the transfer or reassignment of a homeless student will be consistent with legal requirements and based on the student’s best interest.  (See policy 4125, Homeless Students.)

4. Other Transfers

The superintendent shall consider student requests for transfer to another school during the school year based upon space availability, the needs of the child, the effect on the school to which transfer is requested, principal recommendations and other criteria established by the superintendent.

E. Conditions for Reassignment or Transfer

The following conditions apply in regard to any reassignments or transfers made in accordance with sections B, C and D of this policy.

1. The parent is responsible for transportation (except for homeless student transfers, for which the system will provide transportation in a manner consistent with legal requirements and policy 4125).

If a bus is routed by a house outside the school district lines and the student has an approved transfer if the student requests transportation it will be approved.  However, if the bus route changes the student will be responsible for their own transportation.

2. The transfer or reassignment is valid for the grade span except for (a) unsafe school choice transfers, for which the length of reassignment will be consistent with legal requirements and policy 4152 and (b) homeless student transfers for which the length of reassignment will be consistent with legal requirements and policy 4125.

3. Any transfer request that is approved based upon false or misleading information will be declared void, and the transfer will be rescinded.

4. Any transfer is also based on the following stipulations:

• students must comply with the attendance policy
• students should demonstrate exemplary conduct
• students should maintain academic average to proceed to the next grade level
• students must immediately enroll in and continue enrollment in requested academy courses

Student’s applications for reassignment or transfer during the year are approved for an academic school year provided that the student does not violate the stipulations listed above.  The principal can recommend to the Student Enrollment Specialist that a transfer be revoked if any of the stipulations above are not met, or if evidence arises and is proven that the transfer was requested for athletic or social reasons.