5120.04 - ZONING EXCEPTIONS

School Board of Alachua County

Bylaws & Policies

5120.04 - ZONING EXCEPTIONS

Students may attend a school other than their zoned school if they have been granted a zoning exception in accordance with this policy.

Zoning exceptions are not to be used as a substitute for school choice.

Zoning exceptions may be granted for the following reasons:

A.	parents employed by the Board

B.	hardship placement

	1.	medical/psychological need

	2.	police/DCF Request

	3.	victim of a violent crime

Zoning Exception Rules

The following provisions apply to all zoning exceptions:

A.	The student must remain in the assigned school until a zoning exception is granted.

B.	District zoning administrators will consult with both principals before granting a zoning exception. The student's behavior and school attendance may be considered when reviewing requests for zoning exceptions. A zoning exception may not be granted if the student accrued any of the following:

	1.	ten(10) days of out of school suspension in the previous school year, or

	2.	six (6) or more unexcused days of absence in the previous semester or

	3.	ten (10) or more days of tardy arrival at school in the previous school year.

	C.	Zoning exceptions are only for the academic year in which the exception is granted. Subsequent years require a new application and approval.

	D.	The Board is not responsible for providing transportation to students with zoning exceptions.

Parents Employed by Board

Children of full-time Board employees may be transferred to the school site at which their parents are employed, or in the case of elementary school children, to the school "paired" with the work site. Children of full-time Board employees may also be granted zoning exceptions on a space-available basis. These transfers are granted with the understanding that the arrangement will not interfere with the work hours or the responsibilities of the employee and that s/he must arrange before and/or after-school care for the child.

Guidelines for revocation are listed at the end of this policy.

Hardship Placement

For the purposes of this policy, hardship is when the student's attendance in the assigned school creates a documented substantial and undue hardship for the family. The hardship must be based upon facts and circumstances that are unable to be resolved in another fashion applicable to the individual parent, legal guardian, other legal custodian, or adult student in question.

Hardship exceptions shall be granted based upon a case-by-case review of the facts and circumstances. Wherever possible, attempts will be made to accommodate the student at the zoned school.

The following additional provisions apply to all hardship placements:

	A.	Students who are granted a hardship placement must register at the new school within one (1) week of receiving notice of the hardship placement or it will be rescinded.

	B.	In reviewing requests for hardship zoning exceptions, consideration shall be given to whether the requested school is crowded or is projected to be crowded.

Parents may request individual hardship placements for the following reasons:

A.	Medical or Psychological Need

	A request may be made if the student has a medical or psychological condition that requires attendance at a different school from the one assigned. A written order from a licensed physician or licensed mental health professional is required for a transfer based on medical or psychological need. The order must include:

	1.	a description of the student's condition;

	2.	the reason this condition requires the removal of the student from his/her zoned school;

	3.	the reason this condition requires the enrollment of the student in the requested school;

	4.	the duration of time for which the zoning exception is needed.

	Requests made for psychological reasons must include the diagnostic category from the latest edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.

	Requests for revocation must be approved through the Superintendent’s Zoning Appeals Committee.

B.	Police/DCF Requests

	If the District is provided with a police report or a written request from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) the District may assign the student to a different school based on the evidence presented.

	Requests for revocation must be approved through the Superintendent’s Zoning Appeals Committee.

C.	Victim of a Violent Crime

	A student who is a victim of a violent crime by another student who is attending the same school or attends a school of the victim’s sibling may request to attend a different school.

Requests for revocation must be approved through the Superintendents Zoning Appeal’s Committee.

Revocation of Zoning Exception

The principal of a school attended by a student granted a zoning exception may request the exception be revoked except where otherwise noted. The request should be based on a review of the specific student circumstances, taking into account attendance patterns, late arrivals or early departures, and misbehavior. Requests based on behavior must also take into account the age, disability, disciplinary history, the seriousness of offenses, the strength of the evidence associated with offenses, and whether or not the student exhibits remorse.

Request submitted to the District Zoning Office within ten (10) school days of the end of a nine (9) weeks or semester grading period, if approved, will be effective the first day of the following grading period. No requests for revocation will be considered during the final twenty (20) days of the school year.

Appeal of Zoning Exception Denial

A person who is denied a zoning exception may appeal to a zoning exception review committee designated by the Superintendent. The decision of the review committee shall be final.

Adopted 5/3/11