Bellevue Board approves annual enrollment-option capacity resolution

The Bellevue Board of Education on Oct. 6 approved its annual enrollment-option capacity resolution, which sets the district's option-enrollment capacities and restates the procedures staff will use to accept or deny students who request to attend Bellevue Public Schools from other districts.

The resolution "dictate[s] our option enrollment and our capacity," the district's presenter said, noting the action is required annually by the state. Under the resolution the district lists capacity limits, describes the process for reviewing requests (including review of Individualized Education Plans for students with disabilities), and posts the capacities on the district website.

Why this matters: The resolution determines how many out-of-district students Bellevue will accept by grade band and clarifies how the district evaluates requests when special-education services or building capacity are at issue. District staff said money follows students for option enrollments, and the net funding affects school budgets.

Details from the presentation and board discussion: - District capacity numbers the presentation identified: 750 students as the capacity for grades K–6 and about 800 students as the maximum for high school grades (9–12). Presenters noted some variability in phrasing during the discussion but confirmed these figures are posted on the district website. - The district reported it currently has about 1,200 option students across the district, roughly averaging 100 per grade level, with somewhat higher counts at the high school grades. - Staff described the process for deciding whether to accept an option student with special-education needs: the district requests the student’s IEP and the district’s special-education director determines whether the district has space and staff to meet the IEP. Presenters stated that, so far this year, about 18 students with special-education designations were denied for capacity/ability-to-serve reasons and the district had accepted about 18 option enrollments, roughly a 50/50 split to date. - Athletic eligibility and timelines: staff said there is a May 1 deadline to be placed on lists to be eligible for fall athletics; otherwise students may need to wait about 90 days before becoming eligible unless the family makes a bona fide move into the district. - Transfers within the district are handled differently from option requests; in-district requests are treated as "requests to attend" and may be approved for hardship, sibling preference, or to help balance enrollments. Staff noted the district has used option assignments to keep two comprehensive high schools within approximately 5% of each other in enrollment.

Board action: The board moved and approved the administration's recommendation by voice vote; all present board members cast affirmative votes. Staff said the capacities named in the resolution are posted on the district website.

What the action does not do: The resolution sets capacity and process; it does not guarantee placement at a particular building when an option is approved. Staff said families may be accepted into the district but not necessarily placed at their first-choice school if capacity constraints require assignment elsewhere.

Looking ahead: Staff said annual posting and the resolution will continue as long as the district maintains the current practice; emergency changes to capacity (for example due to closures or natural disaster) could be handled by the administration.