By Bill Short
The Millington School Board this week unanimously approved on final reading a modification of its policy regarding “out-of-district” student transfers.
Board members took the action Monday night during their regular monthly meeting on a motion offered by Barbara Halliburton and seconded by C. J. Haley.
The student transfers policy was initially approved in September 2015 and reviewed in December 2020. The modification, recommended by the Tennessee School Board Association, was unanimously approved on first reading at the board’s April 5 meeting.
During the 2021-22 academic year, students will be reassigned to the district’s three remaining schools after E. A. Harrold Elementary is closed.
So, shortly before the vote, board Chairman Chris Denson noted that the entire section of the original policy regarding “in-district” student transfers was deleted from the modified policy.
The current policy defines an “out-of-district” student as one who resides outside both the corporate limits of the city and the Millington Reserve Annexation Area.
It states that out-of-district transfers will be accepted during an annual enrollment period. All applications received after open enrollment will be considered on a case-by-case basis if the requested space is available.
The policy notes that James “Bo” Griffin, superintendent of Millington Municipal Schools, will approve the transfer prior to the student’s enrollment in the district if he or she:
(1) has received passing grades in the core subjects of English/language arts, math, science and social studies during the academic year immediately preceding the requested transfer year; and
(2) if in high school, is:
(a) on track to graduate with his or her classmates; and
(b) has not had more than 10 unexcused absences, more than 10 days of suspensions and more than 15 days of unexcused “tardies” and/or early check-outs in any single academic year.
The policy states that, subject only to the provisions of an inter-local agreement, Griffin will implement the following priorities in approving the transfers:
First priority will be the children of individuals employed by the school district.
Second priority will be students currently enrolled at E. A. Harrold Elementary, Millington Elementary, Millington Middle or Millington Central High School, or siblings of such current students.
The policy defines a sibling as a brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister or foster child who lives in the same household as the student.
Third priority will be the children of individuals employed by the city of Millington.
Fourth priority will be students who reside outside the district, and neither the student nor a sibling is currently enrolled in one of the four schools.
Any out-of-district transfer student who is admitted to the school system consistent with this policy will be enrolled until graduation.
During the course of a school year, if the student no longer meets the criteria for transfer approval, Griffin or his designee will send a notice to the parents or guardians on or before June 15 that the out-of-district transfer will not be renewed for another school year.
When approved for an out-of-district transfer, students and/or their parents or guardians must provide transportation to and from the school, but they will not be required to pay tuition.
The policy states that failure to provide procedural notice regarding grades, behavior or attendance, such as truancy notices, will not alter the obligation of the student or parent/guardian to meet the criteria.
The transfer application form will be available at the school system’s Central Office and at each school office during normal business hours.
