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College Station ISD board opens K–6 out-of-district transfer window, votes 5–2 to change policy
Summary
After debate about revenue, student impacts and admission metrics, the board voted to amend local policy to allow out-of-district K–6 transfers and to develop administrative metrics for admissions and revocation; trustees voted 5–2 in favor.
The College Station ISD Board of Trustees voted to amend local policy to allow limited out-of-district transfers for elementary grades, a move board members said is intended to provide a potential new revenue stream and make use of under-enrolled capacity.
Dr. Harkrider explained the policy change would open the district to consider out-of-district transfers (the current policy limits transfers to employees’ children) and that administrative metrics for admissions and revocation would be developed for board review. "You're voting to currently, our policy only allows out of district transfers for employees' kids only," he said, describing the change as permission to open an application window rather than a commitment to accept a particular number of students.
Trustees expressed differing views. One trustee warned against assuming large revenue gains without knowing how many applicants would qualify and asked for clarity on the parameters that would determine admissions, suggesting metrics such as attendance, discipline referrals and grades. Dr. Harkrider replied that the district would present proposed metrics to the board in November and run an application window in December–January so staff can model revenue and staffing implications before the next budget cycle.
Supporters said the district faces a multi-million-dollar budget deficit and limited options for new revenue; opponents said the board should set admission criteria before authorizing the change. After discussion, the board approved the motion to change policy language to permit out-of-district transfers; the motion passed 5–2.
Next steps: staff will open an application window in December–January, collect applicant data, and return to the board with proposed admission metrics and revenue projections. The board also directed staff to hold a workshop in December to seek consensus on specific parameters before implementation.
