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Board takes first read on FDA(Local) transfer policy to align practice with written policy; proposes sibling and CASTEM exceptions
Summary
Trustees held a first read of revisions to FDA(Local) to formalize interdistrict transfer practices, propose allowing siblings of enrolled students and nonresident enrollment for CASTEM, and direct staff to develop regulations for campus capacity determinations.
The Southwest ISD Board of Trustees received a first reading May 20 of proposed revisions to FDA(Local), the district policy governing nonresident (interdistrict) student transfers, to align written policy with current practice and to add specified exceptions.
Policy presenters said the district's transfer committee processed 291 staff-related transfer applications in a first round and 498 applications in a second round, and that transfer applications continue to arrive daily. The presenters recommended two specific changes to FDA(Local): allow nonresident students to attend Southwest ISD if their siblings are already enrolled in the district, and explicitly permit nonresident students to enroll at CASTEM High School (an open campus that draws students districtwide). The policy draft presented incorporates TASB-recommended wording with deletions and additions highlighted in the board packet.
Presenters said existing criteria for approving transfers would remain in place, including availability of space and instructional staff, the student's disciplinary history and attendance record, and the district's ability to provide required services. They proposed that the deputy superintendent and goals-and-planning staff create regulations to identify annually which campuses are closed to new transfers because of capacity limits. The presenters said employee children would continue to be considered under the stated criteria and that violations of code of conduct would permit nonrenewal of transfers the following year.
Board members asked clarifying questions about funding (state basic allotment versus local tax revenue), UIL eligibility and how the committee evaluates capacity on a case-by-case basis. Staff said the district receives the state basic allotment for nonresident students and that local tax revenue remains with the resident taxing jurisdiction; staff reiterated that CASTEM enrollment and sibling considerations are intended to reduce family disruption and to codify existing practice.
Staff said the policy would return to the board for approval at a subsequent regular meeting after the first-read process and accompanying regulations are prepared.
