At a first reading Tuesday evening, the Palmdale Aerospace Academy Board of Directors reviewed proposed revisions to the academy's admissions and lottery policies, including a change to prioritize children of academy staff within an existing 10% cap.

The revisions would set the Transitional Kindergarten eligibility date to children who have reached age 4 by Sept. 1, formalize the academy’s use of enrollment software for a virtual lottery draw, and confirm that staff-child preference will be honored but will not exceed the current 10% limit. "Preference was changed to have children of academy staff place as first preference," a staff presenter told the board during the meeting. The presenter added, "We're not going above the 10% criteria."

The proposed policy also modifies the wait-list procedure so students who apply after the lottery are placed at the bottom of their preference list rather than triggering a monthly redraw. Vaccination and enrollment language were updated to reflect current education code requirements.

Board members asked for additional data on current preference usage and student geography. One board member asked, "Where are we at now?" in reference to the 10% cap; the presenter replied that the current proportion of staff children is about 5% and said the academy has "never come close to 10%." A board member also asked about the percent of students living outside district boundaries; the presenter said that number is small—"probably about 5 or 6 kids."

This was a first read; the presenter reminded board members there are two weeks to submit feedback before a planned second reading and final vote.

The board did not take a vote on the policy at the meeting.