The Board of Education shall permit the enrollment of students from any Ohio district in a school or program of this District, provided each enrollment is in accordance with laws and regulations of the State concerning Inter-District Open Enrollment, the provisions of this policy, and the administrative guidelines established to implement this policy.

The following definitions shall apply:

The school district from which the student emanates.

State-mandated options, policies, and regulations concerning the Board's authority to adopt resolutions regarding intra-district and inter-district enrollment policies and guidelines. Inter-district open enrollment permits the admission of students to this District from adjacent districts or any other district in Ohio.

A student who resides in this District and is referred to in the statute as a Resident Native Student.

Any school district in Ohio.

A resident student of any other district who enrolls, or seeks to enroll, in this District.

A non-resident student who is enrolled in this District on a tuition basis.

Any one of the specific course offerings of this District.

The restrictions on a number of students in a program due to circumstances unique to that specific program, the terms of a collectively-bargained, negotiated agreement, and/or financial or operating conditions of the District.

"Racial" refers to minorities classified as African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic-American, or Native-American students. "Balance" refers to the percentage of "racial" students in a District program, classroom, or school.

A racially isolated building refers to a School District building in which the racial composition of the students varies significantly from the overall composition of the School District.

Given our diverse society and the importance of preparing students for education, work, and citizenship, the Board is committed to providing students with equal educational opportunities, promoting educational diversity in the District, and providing students with the educational benefits of a diverse student body. To that end, the Board will give individual consideration to each applicant seeking enrollment under this policy, so that all factors that may contribute to student body diversity are meaningfully considered in admissions decisions. It is the intent of the Board to maintain an appropriate racial balance as required by law.

Should a concern arise regarding racial balance in one or more of the District’s schools, the Superintendent shall consult with legal counsel to determine the appropriate steps that should be taken, including, but not limited to, any necessary policy revisions and other actions necessary to comply with State and Federal law. The Superintendent shall then make the appropriate recommendations to the Board.

The Superintendent shall prepare guidelines for the implementation of this policy in ways that comply with relevant State laws and guidelines and establish procedures that provide for the following:

The Board reserves the right to object to the Open Enrollment of a District student to another district in order to maintain an appropriate racial balance. If the Board of a student's home school district objects to a transfer of one of its students to this District for the same reason, this Board will deny the transfer unless the tuition fee is paid for the student.

This policy shall be reviewed annually by the Board to determine whether to adopt a resolution to continue the policy or to rescind Inter-District Open Enrollment. Additionally, the Superintendent shall annually review the level of diversity existing within the District’s programs, grades and/or schools to assess whether the application of this policy has resulted in an adverse effect on racial balance. As a part of his/her review, the Superintendent will be responsible for determining whether there is a legal basis for the Board to use the "maintenance of appropriate racial balance" language of R.C. 3313.98. Should this review indicate that the racial balance in one or more of the District’s programs, grades and/or schools has been adversely affected, the Superintendent shall consult with legal counsel to determine what, if any, appropriate steps should be taken, including, but not limited to, policy revisions or other actions necessary to comply with State and Federal law. The Board reserves the right to modify the conditions under which Inter-District Open Enrollment would continue for any particular program, classroom, or school.

R.C. 3313.98