Public commenter says longstanding students were denied open enrollment as district nears capacity

Jaden Colbank, a member of the public, told the Rolling Hills Local Board of Education that the district had turned away roughly 25–30 students this year because of space limits and questioned why some students who have attended district schools since preschool and kindergarten were denied while new, out‑of‑district applicants were accepted. “But if you're denying students that have been in the district since kindergarten and preschool, why are kids that have never gone to Rolling Hills being accepted into these grades?” Colbank asked.

Superintendent (name not specified in the transcript) responded that open enrollment decisions are handled at the building level and can take attendance and discipline into account, and said there is a process for parents to request records. The superintendent encouraged Colbank to file a public‑records request to review the specifics and said the district would provide documents in response.

The exchange focused on whether the district applied priority rules consistently as the new school reached or exceeded projected class sizes. Board members acknowledged the district is “up against it” with capacity; one board speaker said the district typically tries to maximize open enrollment because it generates revenue, but that staffing and classroom space limit how many transfers can be accepted. The superintendent said the surge may be transient and could level out during the school year.

The board did not take immediate action during public comment. The superintendent offered to supply the requested records if Colbank files a public‑records request; the transcript does not record whether that request was submitted or any follow‑up deadline for staff to respond.

Next steps: the superintendent invited Colbank to submit a records request; the board did not schedule a policy review or vote during the meeting.