The Rock Hill School Board on May 28 approved a revised open-enrollment policy, JCA, on second reading to authorize a limited pilot allowing Rock Hill residents to request enrollment at district schools outside their attendance zone. The policy as approved includes language that allows the district to provide transportation in certain cases, subject to routing feasibility and budget availability.

Why it matters: The pilot is aimed at recruiting students who live in the district but currently attend other schools, a priority the board identified as part of efforts to increase enrollment and revenue. Transportation and routing logistics were central to the board's debate because costs and student ride times can be significant.

What the policy does: Per the staff presentation, the pilot would initially apply to high-school students who are Rock Hill residents but attending schools outside the district or outside their assignment. Dr. Marty Connor, who presented the policy language, said the district had estimated a $1.2 million transportation cost associated with current school-choice routing and noted that the district currently operates about 700 routes and 11 buses for school-choice service. Connor told the board those figures are preliminary and would be reviewed as the pilot proceeds.

Board debate and caveats: Several trustees said choice without transportation is not real choice and supported adding transportation as an option. Others expressed concern about budgetary impacts, ride times for students and the complexity of routing across the district. The board discussed a phased approach: begin with a limited pilot focused on Rock Hill residents and revisit expansion later if data support it. Trustees requested periodic reporting to the board on applications, costs and equity impacts.

Vote and procedural notes: The policy passed on second reading with a recorded tally of 5-2. Staff said they will monitor applications and bring updated transportation cost projections back to the board in the fall before any broader expansion.

What comes next: Staff will implement the pilot provisions for the coming school year, collect participation data and return with budgetary and operational updates to the board. Trustees asked for mid-fall reporting on participation, costs and equity metrics so the board can consider whether and how to expand the program.