The Board of Education passed a new transfer rule that tightens guidelines governing when and how students are allowed to attend a school other than the one to which he or she is assigned.

The Board adopted Superintendent James E. Richmond's recommendation for changes to Rule 5126, which limits the conditions for student transfer approvals. Deadline for transfer requests must be received by June 15. After this school year, the transfer request deadline moves to May 1.

The Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Department of Student Services will determine all transfer requests. Transfer requests must meet criteria, and schools must have adequate space, including in the particular grade and instructional programs. Adequate space in a school is determined by state-rated capacity. Additionally, acceptable requests include those made for a particular academic program not offered at the student's zoned school or for an unusual hardship case. Hardship cases do not include issues common to a large number of families, such as the need for a particular schedule, redistricting, sibling enrollment or typical day care issues.

Requests for transfers will also be accepted from the following:

• A student who changes residence after the start of the second semester may request to stay at a school for the remainder of the school year. Students who move out of the county will be charged tuition.

• A senior in high school who moves out of the high school zone at any time during the school year may request to complete the school year at their current school. Students who move out of the county will be charged tuition.
• A student whose parent/guardian has entered into a contract to build or buy a house in a different school attendance area than that of the student's assigned school within the first 90 days of the start of the school year may request reassignment to the school in the projected attendance area. The parent is required to notify the school upon moving into the new home.
• A student whose parent/guardian is a full-time CCPS employee may request a transfer to the elementary, middle or high school zoned for the employee's primary work location.
• A student who lives outside of Charles County and whose parent is a full-time CCPS employee may also request to enroll in the CCPS elementary, middle or high school zoned for the employee's work primary work location. The county tuition will be waived, but the employee is responsible for paying any costs above the established regular education county student rate.

Students receiving transfers must provide their own transportation to and from school and may not participate in athletics for one year. Athletic participation dates are determined by the transfer date.

Students granted school transfers prior to the 2012-13 school year are allowed to remain in their current school until they are no longer enrolled in the specific school, unless the Superintendent rescinds the transfer. Reasons for rescinding a transfer could include student behavioral, attendance or academic issues.

The Board voted on April 10 to approve the rule after sending the Superintendent's suggested changes for review by a Board committee last month.

Charles County Public Schools provides 26,700 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 caring community schools that offer a technological advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Patricia Vaira, Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator (students), or Keith Hettel, Section 504 Coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, Maryland 20646; (301) 932-6610/870-3814. For special accommodations call (301) 934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.