The release of a resident student to a nonresident district requires that the following procedures be followed:

1. A parent/guardian shall request the release of their child by completing the Choice Transfer Request including the basis for the request. The Mukilteo School District will enter the request into the Choice Transfer System, pending a decision.
   
   
2. The Choice Transfer Request is to be forwarded to the Director of Student Services and Athletics of the Mukilteo School District for consideration.  The determination of approval is to be based on criteria specified in Board Policy 3141. If approved, the Choice Transfer Request will be released and sent to the requested district for approval.
   
   
3. If the Choice Transfer Request for release is denied, the Superintendent or designee shall notify the parent/guardian of the right to petition the Board of Directors, upon five school business day’s prior notice, for review of the decision and to have a hearing before the Board of Directors at its next regular meeting.  Following the hearing by the Board of Directors, a final decision shall be promptly communicated to the parent/guardian in writing.
   
   
4. If the Board of Directors denies the Choice Transfer Request or appeal for release, the parent(s) may appeal the decision to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
   
   
5. The above process constitutes the sole process for authorization of a resident student to attend a nonresident district, and for release of pupil apportionment to a nonresident district. The completion of the process is the responsibility of the applicant.
   
   
6. In all cases that the District approves the release of a resident student, the student or the student's parent(s)/guardian(s) shall be solely responsible for transportation.
   
   

The following procedures will be followed for consideration of admission of a nonresident student in the District:

1. Applicants for admission for release from their resident district to the Mukilteo School District must apply for a Choice Transfer Request from the district in which they live and include a full explanation of conditions warranting consideration for admission and appropriate documentation.  Choice Transfer requests for schools at full capacity, as designated by the Superintendent, will not be considered.
   
   
2. Choice Transfer Requests must be submitted annually.  Returning students can submit release forms from their resident district beginning March 1^st. Failure to annually renew a release form by June 30^th will result in disenrollment from the Mukilteo School District for the next school year.
   
   
3. Choice Transfer Requests for students new to the Mukilteo School District will not be accepted prior to August 1^st.  New students are those who have not attended the Mukilteo School District the previous year or semester or are transitioning between Pathfinder Kindergarten Center to 1^st grade, 5^th to 6^th grade and 8^th to 9^th grade.  NOTE: Acceptance of a Choice Transfer Request for Pathfinder Kindergarten Center, grade K-5, 6-8 or 9-12 does not guarantee a Choice Transfer Request will be approved for the feeder school in the District's K-12 continuum.
   
   
4. Students who attend school while living in the District and move out of the District during the school year must complete a Choice Transfer Request at the time of the move. Such requests shall be reviewed in a timely manner under the criteria set forth in this procedure. If the Request is approved, the student will be allowed to complete the current year in the District.
   
   
5. Eligibility for a Choice Transfer Request will be reviewed and evaluated annually using the following criteria:
   
   
   1. The capacity of the building as determined by the District at the building in which the student desires to enroll. Schools that are designated by the District as schools at full capacity do not have the available space by definition.
      
      
   2. The capacity of the program, grade level and/or classroom as determined by the District as the building in which the student desires to enroll.
      
      
   3. The availability of a program at a school to meet the educational needs of the student.
      
      
   4. Whether approval of the Choice Transfer Request would result in the District experiencing a financial hardship.
      
      
   5. The student’s disciplinary records indicate a history of violent or disruptive behavior or gang membership at their current school.
      
      
   6. The student is currently under suspension, expulsion or emergency expulsion.  A Choice Transfer Request may be revoked after a suspension or expulsion has been imposed.
      
      
   7. Whether the student is a child of a full-time certificated or classified Mukilteo School District employee.
      
      
6. A Choice Transfer Request may be denied or revoked if:
   
   
   1. The student’s disciplinary records indicate a history of violent or disruptive behavior or gang membership at their current school.
      
      
   2. The student is currently under suspension, expulsion or emergency expulsion. A Choice Transfer Request may be revoked after a suspension or expulsion has been imposed.
      
      
   3. The student has difficulties with attendance or tardiness or has a truancy petition filed from their present or resident school.
      
      
   4. Enrollment poses a risk to the health and/or safety of other students and staff.
      
      
   5. Whether approval of the Choice Transfer Request would result in the District experiencing a financial hardship.
      
      
   6. Parent/guardian(s) or student engages in conduct that undermines the ability of building administration or staff to manage the building or classroom.
      
      
   7. Parent/guardian(s) or student engages in actions or behaviors prohibited by Board Policy 3216 – Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying.
      
      
   8. Falsification of student or parent/guardian information, including an address, residence or conditions of living arrangements, to obtain a school assignment may be cause for the withdrawal of the student at the end of the current grading period and reassignment to their attendance area school.
      
      
7. Choice Transfer Requests received after the first day of the current school year will be reviewed on a monthly basis. All Choice Transfer Requests must be acted upon by accepting or denying the request within 45 calendar days of receipt by the District.
   
   
8. Nonresident transfer students are ineligible to participate in varsity-level athletic activities for one full calendar year as prescribed by Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Rules and Regulations.  Please contact the building athletic director for more information.
   
   
9. If the Choice Transfer Request for admission to the District is denied or revoked, the decision shall be communicated promptly and will include the reason(s) for denial.
   
   
10. If the Choice Transfer Request for admittance is denied or revoked, the parent(s) may appeal the decision to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
    
    
11. Choice Transfer Requests for new nonresident students will not be considered for ACES High School.
    
    
12. Decisions for Choice Transfer Requests regarding Special Education students will include the District’s Special Education Department and acceptance will be determined in accordance with federal, State and District guidelines.
    
    
13. In all cases that the District approves the acceptance of a nonresident student, the student or the student's parent(s)/guardian(s) shall be solely responsible for transportation.
    
    

1. The District shall accept NEW Choice Transfer Requests from nonresident students who are the children of full-time certificated or classified school employees on or after March 1^st and those children shall be permitted to enroll:
   
   
   1. At the school to which the employee is assigned.
      
      
   2. At a school forming the District's K through 12 continuum, which includes the school to which the employee is assigned; or
      
      
   3. At a school in the District that provides early intervention services pursuant to RCW 28A.155.065 or preschool services pursuant to RCW 28A.155.070, if the student is eligible for such services.
      
      
2. The District may reject, deny or revoke the Choice Transfer Request under this section if:
   
   
   1. The student's disciplinary records indicate a history of convictions for offenses or crimes, violent or disruptive behavior, or gang membership;
      
      
   2. The student has been expelled or suspended from a public school for more than ten consecutive days.  Any policy allowing for readmission of expelled or suspended students under this subsection (2)(b) must apply uniformly to both resident and nonresident applicants;
      
      
   3. Enrollment of a child under this section would displace a child who is a resident of the District.
      
      
3. The child of a District employee shall be permitted to remain enrolled at that school, or in that District’s kindergarten through twelfth grade continuum, until they have completed their schooling.  Nonetheless, Choice Transfer Release requests must be renewed annually in accordance with the procedure. NOTE: Returning students should submit Choice Transfer Requests from their resident district by March 1^st.  Failure to annually renew a release form by June 30^th will result in disenrollment from the Mukilteo School District for the next school year.)
   
   
4. In all cases that the District approves the acceptance of a nonresident student, the student or the student's parent(s)/guardian(s) shall be solely responsible for transportation.

    

June 8, 1998
Revised: June 26, 2001
Revised: March 14, 2005
Revised: April 28, 2005
Revised: March 17, 2006
Revised: June 24, 2009
Revised: July 8, 2010
Revised: October 3, 2014
Revised: January 22, 2015
Revised: April 5, 2017
Revised: May 2, 2018