JEA (JEB)

(JFA)

(JFAB)

ALLENSTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT

Policy on School Entry/Enrollment

 

A.        Basic Criteria for all Entry Situations

            The following will be required of all who wish to be enrolled in the Allenstown School District:

            1.         Fully complete all registration forms at the school the student is entering.

            2.         Provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate/birth certificate information.

            3.         Meet all state/school district requirements for proof of immunization/physical examination.

            4.         Show proof of residency and show proof of legal guardianship which supports residency in Allenstown.

            5.         Provide a release of information for educational files and materials from previous educational placement(s) including, but not limited to, transcripts, report cards, health records, educational testing, portfolios, and special education materials.

The Allenstown School District will not permit matriculation without completion of the basic criteria for entrance.

B.        Initial Entry into School

            1.         RSA 193:1 makes it the legal duty of parents/guardians to enroll all students between the ages of 6 and 16 in school. Children who are six years of age by September 30 are eligible to enter first grade.

            2.         Children who are five years of age by September 30 are eligible for kindergarten.

C.        Special Education Initial Entry

            When a child enters the Allenstown School District from a special education placement, the special education team will review the IEP and confer with the sending school/ program to maintain a comprehensive program designed to meet the needs of the child within the framework outlined by federal laws and state mandates.

 

APPROVED: September, 1995

AMENDED:  January, 1998

D.        Entry from Other Education Placements

1.         Students enter the Allenstown School System at various times during their academic careers. When students enter the Allenstown School System from another educational placement, certain information is necessary in order to best accommodate students’ educational needs.

2.         Students records will be reviewed by the appropriate school staff as soon as possible (see Section A above). This procedure is intended to ensure to the greatest degree possible the proper placement of the incoming student.

3.         If educational files/materials from the previous educational placement are unavailable or deemed incomplete/inappropriate, there may be a delay in entry, allowing school officials to gather documentation enabling an assessment of academic proficiency acceptable to the district to be conducted. The purpose of such an evaluation would be to compile sufficient information upon which to base placement decisions.

4.         Appeals of placement decision rendered by building principals will be to the Superintendent of Schools.

E.         Admission and Attendance of Nonresident Students

            "No person shall attend school, or send a pupil to the school, in any district of which the pupil is not a legal resident, without the consent of the district or of the school board." (RSA 193:12 I)

            The legal residence is where a student’s parents or legal guardian resides, except as specified further in RSA 193:12 II.

            It is the policy of the Allenstown School Board that students who do not legally qualify as residents of the district shall not attend Allenstown Central School except under the following conditions:

            1.         Requests should be made in writing by the parent/guardian seeking admission. All requests must be made in advance of the enrollment or change of residency.

            2.         All non-residents must be approved for admittance by the school board prior to initial or continued attendance.

            3.         Before granting any request for a non-resident student to attend school at the Allenstown Central School, the school board shall consider class size, potential impact on the receiving class, administrative input, and other factors which might lessen the effectiveness of instruction for district students.

            4.         Request for attendance shall be on a single year, or portion of a school year, basis only.

            5.         Transportation to and from school shall be the sole responsibility of the parent/ guardian.

            6.         Attendance of non-resident students shall be contingent on regular attendance, acceptable academic progress, and appropriate school demeanor.

            7.         All non-resident students will be assessed tuition based on the most recent state average cost-per-pupil or the Allenstown average per-pupil cost, whichever is greater, prepaid quarterly. Should the student be identified as educationally handicapped, tuition will be set based upon the actual cost of special education and any educationally related services which are additional to the regular tuition.

                        a)         Based upon administrative recommendation the Allenstown School Board may allow students already enrolled to complete a current academic year of 45 school days or less, at a reduced tuition of $5 (five dollars) per day to offset the cost of consumable supplies and overhead.

                        b)         The Allenstown School Board may allow attendance of students whose families plan imminent residency in Allenstown, so long as their non-resident status extends to no more than 45 school days, at a reduced tuition of $5 (five dollars) per day to offset the cost of consumable supplies and overhead.

                        c)         The $5 (five dollars) fee may be modified at the discretion of the Allenstown School Board.

                        d)         The tuition status of special education students attending school in the Allenstown School District due to court-ordered placement or foster placement shall be assessed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable regulations and statutes.

            8.         The Allenstown School District reserves the authority to determine and grant exceptions to the above policy at its sole discretion, based upon determination of emergency, hardship, or other compelling circumstances as outlined by the superintendent of school or a designee.

F.         Non-age Appropriate Placement

            When a request is made for placement of a child other than what would be age appropriate, we will follow these guidelines:

            1.         The request, in the form of a letter, should be addressed to the superintendent of schools on a timely basis regarding a non-age appropriate placement. This letter should indicate valid reasons why it is believed the early or late admittance or non-age appropriate placement is in the child’s best interest.

            2.         Parent(s) should submit a letter from the child’s doctor indicating the child’s social, emotional, and physical readiness or non-readiness for the requested placement.

            3.         In cases involving initial entry, a written recommendation by the child’s kindergarten, preschool, or day-care provider should also be submitted.

            4.         If the child is a preschooler, an observation of the child in his/her preschool setting will be conducted by a staff member(s) of the Allenstown School District.

            5.         Appropriate assessment will be conducted by the Allenstown School District.

            6.         Each case will be reviewed by a team comprised of an administrator, teachers from at least two grade levels, parent(s) and the evaluator. After weighing the impact such alternative placement will have on the child, the team will then make a recommendation to the superintendent.

            7.         Parent(s) will be notified in writing of the superintendent’s decision.

            8.         Placement of students is entrusted to the Superintendent of Schools under Ed. 302.02 (e).