WFISD Board Reviews Revisions to Transfer and Electronic‑Device Return Policies

Wichita Falls ISD trustees reviewed first readings of two district policies: FDA(local), governing inter‑ and out‑of‑district student transfers, and FNCE(local), which staff proposed to align with the student handbook on electronic device returns.

Assistant Superintendent Scott Hackley told the board FDA(local) was revised to mirror recent changes to interdistrict transfer rules previously moved to FDB local; the update clarifies criteria for approving or revoking transfers and includes language on distance‑to‑requested school, falsified addresses and the appeal process. Hackley said a quick report identified 280 out‑of‑district students, representing roughly $1.7 million in basic state funding tied to those enrollments.

On the question of whether to limit out‑of‑district transfer application windows, trustees debated leaving applications open year‑round versus establishing a window. One board member recommended keeping the process year‑round; the assistant superintendent said athletic eligibility remains subject to University Interscholastic League rules and the district executive committee, with varsity eligibility typically requiring 365 days of enrollment unless a UIL waiver applies.

FNCE(local) was presented to remove language requiring parents to pay a fee to retrieve electronic devices and to align the local policy with the 2023 student handbook, which requires parents to pick up devices on campus. Hackley said the revisions are first readings and will return for future action.