Board refers student-assignment policy JBCC to policy committee after member concerns

The School Board voted to refer policy JBCC, governing student assignment and transfers, to the policy committee for development of a clear procedural protocol for disciplining or returning transfer students. Superintendent Dimas told the board the referral responds to a request from a board member to codify steps for cases in which a transfer student has attendance or discipline problems. She said district staff will bring a proposed protocol back to the policy committee for review and then to the full board. Several board members expressed concern that the current policy could treat transfer students differently from students who attend their zoned school. One board member said the policy as written risked “punishing” transfer students for the same conduct that would be handled at their zoned school. Other members said magnet and transfer spots are limited and that removing a student from a transfer spot can be an appropriate remedy when the spot displaces another student who cannot access that seat. Board members discussed using a signed transfer agreement — executed by the parent and student at enrollment — to make expectations clear up front. The superintendent said parents of students with existing transfers have already received notification about the policy change and that the district will locate and update any transfer agreements. The motion to refer policy JBCC to the policy committee carried.