'Minimal Impact' Expected from Open Enrollment Changes, School Officials Say

Open enrollment will look a little bit different for Wisconsin schools this year, but  officials say the extended enrollment period and other changes will have little impact on the educational system.

The open enrollment period for the 2012-13 school year started on Feb. 6 and lasts until April 30, a big jump from the 3-week period parents were previously given to complete open enrollment applications.

"It really should have minimal impact," Director of Business Services Jim Froemming wrote in an e-mail. "The longer open period may have more parents applying. Of the students who apply, 50 percent or less actually choose to open enroll their child in a different district."

There is one change to the rules, however, that might throw a mini wrench into the system, Froemming said. The Act 114 changes allow for open enrollment applications outside of the regular period for children that meet certain requirements: if the student is bullied and the bullying meets the district’s definition; if the student is homeless or moves during the school year; and if parents and the school board agree that the move is in the best interests of the student — among other reasons.

"The availability of mid-year changes due to extenuating circumstances could be challenging," Froemming said. "Having a student that enters a new school environment can be very stressful for the student, on top of the experience that the student encountered to be put into a situation of wanting to make a school district change (in the first place)." 

Schools are also now required to designate the number of regular and special education spaces they have available by the January before open enrollment starts. There are also a number of new deadlines to meet and forms that nonresident applicants and the schools will have to finish; an entire list of these mostly administrative changes can be found in this PDF.

Following the new regulations to set space limitations before the open enrollment period, the Port Washington Saukville School Board determined that there will be no spaces available in a number of special education programs, including: districtwide speech and language, high school cognitively disabled, high school emotional behavioral disability and high school learning disabilities.

Duane Woelfel, director of special services for the district, said there are 22 students who open enrolled into the district for special education programs this year. In total, the Port Washington-Saukville School District had 134 open enrollment students come into the district this year, with 107 going out, Froemming said.

"Our district has been in higher demand with the greatest number of students coming from the Northern Ozaukee School District," Froemming said. "We are an attractive district as shown by our increasing incoming numbers.  If we can fill classes with students who are choosing the district because of our quality programming, we are all winners. 

"When a student open enrolls in a district, parents are making a large commitment to the education of their child. Since parents have to provide transportation to districts that are not their 'home' district, they are agreeing to make some sacrifices on their part. This also comes into play with friends, events and activities with new friends."