DA Reviewing Potential Out-of-District Enrollment

By Mary A. Crisafulli

DELHI - The Delaware Academy Central School District (DA) Policy Committee is reviewing a potential adjustment to the out-of-district enrollment policy. The district currently has a "no-tuition" policy that prohibits individuals outside of the district boundary from attending. Superintendent Carey Shultz said the committee has prepared a draft policy but has no plans to present it to the Board of Education (BOE). "It's still in discussion," he said.

The possible adjustment was suggested after former Superintendent Kelly Zimmerman received several requests for enrollment. In April the BOE decided the topic warranted further investigation and tasked the policy committee with exploring options. The board further agreed that the community, students, and staff should all be included in such conversation.

During the October meeting, policy committee members invited school principals to ask questions and express concerns. There was some concern regarding rising mental health issues in students, Shultz reported. He added that there was some positive feedback as well. The committee presented findings from meeting with principals to BOE members during an executive session on Oct. 28.

BOE members previously expressed concerns with enrollment numbers if an out-of-district policy were permitted. Schultz said the draft policy does not include an enrollment cap but contains safeguards including no increase in district costs and language on class sizes.

When asked how many students the enrollment policy might serve, Shults said it is difficult to determine. Neighboring districts that have initiated a similar program in the past had "a handful" of student participation, he noted. Participation will likely be dependent on tuition rates, he said. Transportation can be a hindrance to the program as it is not provided, Shults added.

While the committee is still exploring tuition rates, Shultz does not anticipate many changes to the draft policy. Before presenting to the BOE, Shultz said the committee would like to review the outcomes of a few State happenings.

The New York State Department of Education (NYSED) has employed the Rockefeller Institute of Government for a regionalization survey. Regionalization is a State initiative that seeks to congregate local districts to share resources and exchange effective practices to develop equal educational opportunities. The survey, prompted in September, will identify opportunities for collaboration resulting in cost efficiencies or greater educational opportunities. The survey is expected to be completed by Dec. 6.

In addition, the State is again reviewing its school foundation aid formula. Foundation Aid determines how much each public school district will receive from state aid based on need. This is the main funding source for most districts.

"We are on pause," said Shultz as the district awaits funding and regionalization information.

Shultz noted the district has explored this policy change a few times in the past ten years. "I think they (policy committee and BOE members) are doing a good job of looking at all different angles," Shultz concluded.