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Board keeps open-enrollment policy unchanged for general education, limits special-education seats to defined programs
Summary
The board voted to continue unlimited open-enrollment seats for general education but to restrict special-education open-enrollment seats; PODS may accept one special-education student and Project SEARCH will accept up to three out-of-district students, the board decided.
The Stevens Point Area Public School District board on Jan. 13 set open-enrollment availability for the 2025–26 school year: unrestricted seats for general-education applicants and limited seats for special-education applicants.
The administration recommended keeping general-education seats open without numeric limits, consistent with prior practice. For special education, the administration recommended zero available multi-categorical seats for early-childhood, K–6 and grades 7–12 in-district programs, with two narrow exceptions: one multi-categorical seat at PODS (the district charter school) and three multi-categorical seats for Project SEARCH (an employment-readiness program for students with disabilities).
Why it matters: Open enrollment permits families to attend a district other than their resident district. District leaders cited capacity constraints and the growing special-education caseload as reasons to restrict placement of out-of-district students who require full special-education services while remaining open to targeted exceptions that match specific program structures.
Board discussion and rationale: District staff noted special education is funded at levels well below program cost and that program needs vary widely, making unrestricted acceptance of out-of-district special-education students a potential financial and service-delivery strain. Trustees asked about funding flows and were told the state sends a portion of funding with an open-enrolled student, not full per‑pupil cost. Project SEARCH and PODS are specific program models with application/assessment processes; administrators said those exceptions are manageable within program capacity and have existing admission screens.
Votes taken: Trustees approved unlimited general-education open enrollment for 2025–26 and separately approved the special-education limits (0 seats in most special-education programs; 1 at PODS; 3 at Project SEARCH). Both motions passed on board voice votes.
Ending: The district will keep application processes for PODS and Project SEARCH in place and will continue to evaluate capacity and funding impacts when considering future open-enrollment decisions.
