RICHMOND —
Madison County middle school students now have the option to attend a school outside of the zone in which they reside after the board voted to amend a 2009-10 redistricting policy Thursday.
The amendment gives middle schoolers the same privilege as elementary and high school student, who already have the option of requesting a transfer, depending on availability and approval by the schools’ principals.
Prior to Thursday’s meeting, board members met with central office staff and the five middle school principals, who recommended that the redistricting policy be amended to “allow some flexibility for parents that may need to look at one or two options to accommodate their life plans and travel schedules,” said Superintendent Tommy Floyd.
“We have communicated with the principals; we’ve looked at the numbers and considered the requests we had. We do think we’ll have gains and losses,” Floyd said.
The amendment emerged in response to several inquiries by parents seeking to transfer their middle schoolers. Board members discussed the issue at the July 24 meeting and decided that something had to be done to address the parents’ concerns.
Board member John Lackey asked whether there could be problems with students requesting to transfer to Farristown and Caudill, the district’s newest middle schools.
“I want to be able to have flexibility, but I am concerned that those two schools will get a flood of people, and places like Madison Middle will see a big drop,” Lackey said.
Board member Becky Coyle said they had heard of several students wanting to transfer to Madison Middle.
“We have a number of folks who have expressed interest in doing just that,” Floyd replied. “It’s going to be give and take everywhere. Our principals are aware and they fully understand.”
Board member Mona Isaacs acknowledge that changing the rules a week before school starts “is going to put some stress on our principals and teachers — but the commitment they’ve shown us in that meeting means that they’re going to do what’s best for our students, their families and this district,” she said.
According to Erin Stewart, the district’s community education director, it is important for middle school parents to note:
• The change in policy only gives parents the ability to apply for an out-of-zone transfer
• Principals can accept transfers based on the application
• Principals cannot accept transfers if the student population is at or near capacity for a grade level or class
• Parents/students will be responsible for transportation to and from school
• A school is not given any additional staff based on students who are out-of-zone
• The student may be transferred back to the home school if the student’s presence causes a particular class to be near, or over the cap size limit
• If approved, the change in assignment will be granted for only one school year
The transfer application can be found on the district’s website and must be signed by the parent or guardian, the principal of the “gaining” and “losing” schools as well as the superintendent.
Out-of-state trips
Isaacs proposed that out-of-state trip approval be moved to the consent agenda, where several items (which the board is notified of beforehand) are voted on at once.
Isaacs said the idea behind the proposal is to keep trip coordinators from having to come to meetings and present requests to the board.
However, Lackey said there had been times that he has had reservations about some of the trips, especially if they were expensive, outside of the U.S. or extra-curricular activities, rather than co-curricular.
The board compromised and decided if a trip is within the U.S. and is a co-curricular activity, they may be placed on the consent agenda. If they are outside of the U.S. and are an extra-curricular activity, then they will need to be voted on separately.
The board should be notified of plans for a trip five days prior to the meeting.
Other business:
• A special board meeting to set the 2013 property-tax rate is scheduled for Aug. 23, 6 p.m. at Madison Central.
• The district’s out of school suspension rate dropped 61 percent from 2007-08 school year to 2011-12.
• Architect Tony Thomas reported that there will be no construction obstacles with any of the district’s projects by the start of school next Wednesday. A meeting is scheduled next with the contractor to determine if the new Madison Central football field and stadium will be ready for the first home game scheduled for Aug. 31. The second home game is Sept. 21.
Crystal Wylie can be reached at cwylie@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 6696.
Local News
Students may now apply to switch middle schools
Affects county schools
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