Again we are seeing a repeat of the budget crisis in California that is impacting not just our students in their classrooms – but indeed, the choice of which schools our students on Inter-district Permits may actually attend. There have been issues with districts refusing to release students in districts up and down the State. Districts who previously released students to attend school in another district of their choice are reluctant to extend that courtesy for the 2010-2011 school year.

 Every student who exits his/her home district costs that district revenue resulting in many districts telling parents and legal guardians “no” for what had previously been a routine Interdistrict Transfer Permit release form. Knowing you to be the parent or legal guardian of an Interdistrict Transfer Permit student, I encourage you to approach your home district at the earliest possible date to apply for the Interdistrict Transfer Permit for your student(s) to continue to attend El Segundo Unified School District for the 2010-2011 school year.

Should you be denied your request, per California Education Code 46600-46611, you have the right to take the following steps. Please remember, THE FIRST LEVEL OF APPEAL MUST BE AT THE DISTRICT THAT DENIED THE PERMIT.

Parents/Guardians may appeal the denial of an Interdistrict Transfer Permit in writing to the Superintendent of the district in which they reside.

If, within 30 days after the parent/guardian has so requested, the Governing Board in the student’s home district fails to respond or denies the permit request, the parent/guardian may make a subsequent appeal in writing to: Los Angeles County Office of Education, Division of Student Support Services, Attention: Dr. Victor Thompson, 9300 East Imperial Highway, Downey, CA 90242, (562) 922-6233.

I would like to note that historically the Los Angeles County Office of Education has supported parent choice. However, as noted above, once the permit has been denied and you have filed a formal appeal with your home district Superintendent, a period of up to 30 days could elapse before you can appeal with the County. Due to the flood of denials projected by the media, the County could take some time to issue its final decision.

As you are aware, admission to El Segundo Unified School District on an Interdistrict Transfer Permit is based on seats available in the classrooms, so I strongly encourage you to apply for your student(s) permit as soon as possible. For LAUSD parents it is my understanding that all appeals must be filed through LAUSD online only (they will not accept or process paper permit applications) beginning May 1, 2010.

Files:

•  Inter-District Permit Process District Guidelines.pdf
•  Interdistrict Permit Workshops.pdf
•  LACOE Appeal Packet 2010.pdf
•  QuestionsAnswerspermits.pdf