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Board adopts nonresident enrollment policy with continuity and attendance safeguards
Summary
The board adopted a revised nonresident enrollment policy clarifying that nonresident students may remain enrolled as long as they meet the same academic and attendance standards as resident students; excessive absences may result in revocation and the district will not provide transportation.
The Montgomery Public Schools board voted unanimously April 28 to adopt a revised nonresident enrollment policy that allows nonresident students to remain enrolled if they continue to meet program eligibility and attendance standards.
Superintendent staff read the section of the proposed policy that addresses returning students and continuity: “All nonresident students attending Montgomery Public Schools pursuant to this policy must meet and maintain adherence to the same school requirements as resident students, including, but not limited to, all academic and attendance requirements. Failure to do so may result in the revocation of the nonresident student’s enrollment,” a staff member read to the board.
Board members sought clarity about whether nonresident students would have to reapply annually. Several members urged continuity once a student is accepted into a magnet or program, saying that, if the student maintains eligibility for grades and behavior, they should remain enrolled without an annual reapplication. District staff confirmed the policy language is written to permit continuous enrollment so long as students meet program requirements; the board also agreed to add clarifying language to the public FAQs so families understand expectations and the district’s procedures.
Board members raised concerns that low attendance among some nonresident applicants, particularly in virtual programs, could affect graduation‑rate calculations. Staff said the policy already contemplates that excessive absences or tardiness may lead to dismissal from a program and that the district would add explanatory procedure language to address borderline cases so enrollment decisions do not inadvertently harm district accountability metrics.
The policy also notes that a fee may be assessed in upcoming years and that the district is not responsible for transportation or for providing educational services outside district boundaries.
