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Board hears student transfer report: 807 transfers approved this year; district to route one bus per daycare center
Summary
The board received a report that 807 student transfers were approved this year (78 denied) and that the district will provide a single bus routed to each daycare center in its zone next school year; staff outlined transfer criteria, revocation conditions and annual costs for daycare pickups.
The St. Mary's County Board of Education on April 8 received an update on student transfer requests and daycare transportation.
Student services staff (Mr. Dorenzo) said transfers are granted annually based on seat availability and program criteria; the parent initiates the process and principals review before Department of Student Services makes a final decision. Transfers are valid for one year, and may be denied or revoked if the student fails to meet attendance, conduct or academic standards. Mr. Dorenzo said the district approved 807 transfer requests this year and denied 78; by level the breakdown was elementary 711 approved/38 denied, middle 65/15, and high school 106/25.
Mr. Dorenzo explained that transfers for childcare pickup are limited to elementary schools and that staff transfers are an employee benefit many use. The district currently provides bus service to four daycare centers; the presentation listed the additional annual costs the district pays for out‑of‑zone pickups for those centers (Center A: $2,000; Center B: $3,800; Center C: $950; Center D: $2,500). Going forward, the district will provide one bus per daycare center routed through the zone school rather than multiple buses to the same daycare.
Board members asked whether the transfer counts included staff transfers; Mr. Dorenzo said he did not have that split available immediately but would provide it on request. Staff said they will send follow‑up letters to affected daycare centers and communicate the routing change.
Mr. Dorenzo emphasized that special permissions can be revoked when students exhibit chronic unlawful absences or repeated early pickups.
