Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2007 7:12:03 -0500
From: Meg Miller
Subject: Transfer policy changes
From Chatham schools policy 4150N:
F. Conditions for Reassignment or Transfer
The following conditions apply in regard to any reassignments or transfers made in accordance with subsections C and D of this policy.
The parent is responsible for transportation (except for school improvement choice transfers for which the district must provide transportation for as long as the original school is identified for Title I school improvement).
The transfer or reassignment is valid for no more than one school year (except for unsafe school choice transfers and school improvement choice transfers for which the length of reassignment will be consistent with the legal requirements and Board policy_4152N Unsafe School Choice Transfer and policy_4153N School Improvement Choice Transfer).
The transfer or reassignment into a school that has an enrollment over its rated capacity will not be allowed except for students approved for transfer during or before the 2006-2007 school year, who will be allowed to remain at the school through the grade span offered in that particular school. Any transfer request that is approved based upon false or misleading information will be declared void and the transfer will be rescinded.
The student must attend school on a regular basis and abide by the school’s rules and regulations. Excessive absences, tardiness or disciplinary referrals may be grounds for revocation of the transfer. [edit]
http://policy.chatham.k12.nc.us/mediawiki/index.php/Policy_4150N
Anyone with a transfer student needs to read this entire policy (link above) as it has changed since the days of Mabe when anyone could transfer anywhere. It’s not the same system….it is too crowded and schools aren’t able to be built fast enough (for one reason or another) to allow for transfers of convenience.
Before you transfer your child, be sure you know the NEW rules. I feel for the Goldstons and hope there is a solution for them. With the growth that’s here and what’s coming on, it’s going to become more difficult to make any concessions, but I hope they have at least tried to contact their school board and explain the situation.
Maybe if the BOE would redistrict….a tough decision they were elected to make…it would loosen the noose around NWoods neck. I’m telling you…it’s bad….it’s truly an overcrowded situation that is only going to get worse. We’re talking not enough classes for kids to take what they want and need. With the new addition at Jordan Matthews (thank you Ms. McManus) and some of the wonderful programs there, it’s actually got more to offer than NW at this point (elbow room, for one thing). I know that doesn’t make up for the social aspect. I hope living in Siler, that your son knows some of the JM students and that would make the move easier.
I will say….WHY did it take SO LONG for the system to notify this family of the change? Maybe it would have been a bit easier to take if they had know it was coming before the start of school.
Again, I hope this informs others as to the risks you now take when you transfer. You could always do what most other folks do in this situation….lie. We have SO MANY kids in the N Chatham area who don’t live where they say they do so they can attend Harrison or North Chatham. (all you have to present is a bill with an address on it) Hopefully that will stop now that both of those schools are so overcrowded. NOTHING hurts a school’s ability to function more than being overcrowded…except maybe having a bad principal…or both.
I wish you luck and a peaceful solution to this issue. Although, at this point, with school starting Monday, that will be difficult, to say the least. But kids are resilient and they do bounce back from the toughest challenges most of the time better than they were before.