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Parents at Eureka meeting say out‑of‑district enrollments displaced local children
Summary
Multiple parents told the Eureka Union School District board during public comment that their in‑district children lost seats to out‑of‑district students and asked the district for explanations; district staff later told the board funding per pupil does not vary by a student’s home district.
Members of the public pressed the Eureka Union School District Board of Trustees about how the district is assigning seats after several local children were denied placement at their neighborhood schools.
“I pay for our schools through our taxes … My grandkids should be able to go to the schools that they are in,” said Gail Smiley during the board’s public‑comment period, describing multiple generations of her family attending district schools and saying her grandson was moved from Oak Hills to Ridgeview.
Two other speakers, including Kim Brand and a man who identified himself as Paul, said the district failed to follow up after families filed “intent to attend/intent to return” forms and that the district prioritized out‑of‑district applicants, which they said felt like a financial choice. “I don't need your answers because I know the reason you're taking out‑of‑district kids and prioritizing them is money,” Brand said.
District finance staff later addressed the funding question during the 45‑day revised budget presentation. Melissa, district staff presenting the budget update, said the state funds districts by student grade band, not by the student’s home district: “we receive extra funding for TK due to the staffing ratio requirements … you do not receive a different funding amount based off of where the students come from.” She added that districts receive supplemental dollars for students who qualify for concentrated supports (for example, low socioeconomic status, English learners, foster youth), but ordinary per‑pupil funding does not change because a student lives outside the district.
Board President Nash and other trustees offered to connect parents with staff. President Nash told a commenter, “You’re welcome to give me a call. Here’s my card,” and staff agreed to follow up with families who asked for additional information.
No board action on enrollment policy or transfer priorities was taken at the meeting; the exchange occurred during the public‑comment period and in an information presentation on the budget.
The comments put a spotlight on the district’s communication and enrollment processes: several parents asked why front offices did not follow up on incomplete transfer paperwork and requested that long‑time local residents be given priority when schools are impacted.
District staff said they will provide follow‑up to the families who spoke and that questions about transfer rules and capacity would be addressed in subsequent staff communications and at the school sites.
