Salina USD 305 outlines resident transfer process; schools over 385 students marked closed to new transfers

Salina Public Schools USD 305 staff presented a draft internal resident transfer process to the board on Feb. 18 that prioritizes students who currently live in the district for intra‑district transfers and identifies schools exceeding enrollment thresholds as closed to new transfer requests.

Shanah Rekker explained that the district defined a resident capacity threshold: elementary schools with total enrollment over 385 will be considered closed for new resident transfer requests. The district published a matrix showing openings by grade and school; schools with openings will accept resident transfer applications through a process that may include a lottery when applications exceed available slots. Rekker said the district will notify families about the resident transfer window, post the application online, and accept applications due March 14. After resident transfers are processed, Rekker will return to the board in April with remaining openings for nonresident applicants and next steps required by statute.

At the secondary level, Rekker said Salina Lakewood Middle School and Central High School show openings at particular grade levels while South Middle School and South High School are considered closed to new resident transfers under the capacity rules. She stressed that “closed” means closed only to new transfer requests; students who live in the attendance area for a closed school retain the right to attend that neighborhood school. Rekker also clarified that students already attending a feeder school or the school they will matriculate to in 2025–26 will be considered resident and may continue without submitting a transfer application.

The board asked clarifying questions about timeline and grade‑level differences. Rekker confirmed the notification will go to all current Salina Public School families the Thursday after the meeting, resident applications are due March 14, and nonresident decisions will be determined in April to comply with statute. No formal vote was recorded on the presentation; the item was informational and related to upcoming enrollment administration.