Board discusses new interdistrict transfer policy; administrators say revised policy must meet state guidelines and will take effect in 2027

The Richland School District 2 Board of Trustees discussed a required revision to its interdistrict transfer policy (JFAB) at the June 9 meeting after the state department of education finalized model guidelines.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Marshall Franklin told trustees that 2025 legislation requires districts that already have interdistrict-transfer policies to revise them to match state guidelines within 60 days. Franklin said the district incorporated the state's terms into the draft policy so it can meet the June 28 deadline, but that the new policy would not take effect until the 2027–28 school year.

Why it matters: The revision standardizes how students who live outside district boundaries can apply to attend Richland 2 schools, how fees are assessed and when enrollment may be revoked. Board members asked how the state funding "follows the student" and about midyear transfers, payment plans and scholarship options for tuition.

Franklin described the district's process: choice-one for in-district students proceeds as usual; choice-two will accept out-of-district applicants and the registrar's office will evaluate applications based on eligibility and space. He said magnet program admissions remain competitive and that the district largely adopted the state's eligibility and revocation criteria in the draft.

Board member Dr. Elen Scott asked whether state funding follows students who enroll via interdistrict transfers. Administrators replied that under the state model the district will receive state funding for enrolled students and a defined portion of local revenue; the district noted the local-revenue calculation is usually lower than its current tuition rate and that midyear transfers will be limited except for certain wait-listed students who later are admitted.

Senior Chief Financial Officer Nancy Williams explained that state categorical funding streams can generally be spent in the award year plus one additional year and that funds not authorized by proviso must be returned or flexed; she requested approval earlier in the meeting to transfer $10,781.90 of ADEP carryforward funds into the general fund.

Board members also discussed potential flexibility for parents facing large tuition payments and considered allowing payment plans or scholarship assistance; administrators said the district may adjust the draft based on any forthcoming model policy from the school boards association but emphasized compliance with the state deadline.

The board additionally recognized longtime registrar Roger Wy, who will retire in June after more than four decades in education and 24 years as the district's registrar.

Quotes: "The statute requires districts that already have an interdistrict transfer policy to revise that policy within 60 days based on the state's newly developed guidelines," Dr. Marshall Franklin said. Dr. Elen Scott asked, "Will that money follow them from the district they should have been enrolled in?" Franklin and Williams answered that state funding follows students under the funding model but local revenue calculations differ from prior tuition rates.

What's next: Administrators said they will finalize the drafted policy to meet the deadline, incorporate any changes from the state school boards association if necessary, and publicize the revised application process and any limits on midyear enrollment.

Provenance: The district presented the draft JFAB revision and discussed its implications at length during the June 9 meeting; the board requested community notice and additional administrative follow-up.