Revising school district open enrollment procedures and requirements to prioritize students who are residents of Kansas over students who are residents of another state, providing for continued enrollment of students who attended a school district of nonresidence in school year 2023-2024, authorizing school districts to deem students as not in good standing prior to enrollment and requiring publication of nonresident student transfer policies on the school district website.
Impact
The bill affects existing statutes regarding school district enrollment practices, as it emphasizes the prioritization of Kansas residents in determining which students can attend a school. Changes will modify how school districts assess their capacity for new enrollments, especially in determining whether to accept nonresident students under various conditions including their academic standing and connection to the district. Schools will need to maintain transparent policies communicated through their websites, detailing the criteria and procedures for accepting nonresident students, which may impact their operational administration significantly. Additionally, the policy stipulates that tuition may not be charged to nonresident students aside from standard fees applicable to all students.
Summary
House Bill 2514 aims to revise the open enrollment procedures for school districts in Kansas, prioritizing students who are residents of the state over those from out of state. It mandates that school districts ensure available spaces are first offered to nonresident students living in Kansas before considering applications from students who reside in other states. This preference includes provisions for the continued enrollment of nonresident students who were present in the 2023-2024 school year, thus allowing them to graduate from their chosen school without disruptions. The bill intends to streamline enrollment processes and accommodate students who may have unique circumstances, such as military affiliation or employment of a parent by the school district.
Contention
Debate surrounding HB 2514 may arise from differing views on local versus state authority in education, as some may argue that prioritizing state residents could undermine the openness of education access for students from neighboring states. While supporters claim it better serves local student populations, critics may contend that it restricts educational opportunities for nonresident students whose families may have a valid reason for seeking out educational resources in Kansas. The provisions regarding students classified as not in good standing could result in concerns over fairness and equity, particularly for those facing socio-economic challenges, including homelessness, which the bill addresses specifically.
House Substitute for SB 113 by Committee on K-12 Education Budget - Making appropriations for the department of education for FY 23, FY 24 and FY 25; establishing the mental health intervention team program; authorizing certain students to participate in activities regulated by the Kansas state high school activities association; requiring school districts to post certain enrollment and academic information on school district websites; revising school district open-enrollment procedures; authorizing local school board members to receive compensation from their school district; authorizing current-year student enrollment for determinations of state foundation aid; continuing the 20 mill statewide tax levy for schools; amending the school districts that qualify for and the amount that school districts are able to levy pursuant to the cost-of-living weighting.
Authorizing children in the custody of the secretary of the department for children and families to attend school in any school district, requiring records for such students to be timely transferred between school districts and requiring a transportation plan if the child remains in the school of origin.
House Substitute for SB 387 by Committee on K-12 Education Budget - Making appropriations for the department of education for FY 24, FY 25 and FY 26 and enacting, revising and abolishing certain statutes relating to the educational system.