01/07/2019
https://educateiowa.gov/pk-12/options-educational-choice/open-enrollment
For open enrollment questions please contact Sherry VanBlaricom, Board Secretary at 641-652-7531 ext 3201 or email [email protected]
Procedural Questions
Question: What is open enrollment?
Answer: It is a cost free option by which parents/guardians residing in an IOWA district may enroll their children into another Iowa school district under the terms and conditions of Iowa Code section 282.18 and the administrative rules of the Iowa Department of Education, 281 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 17.
Question: How does a parent / guardian file for open enrollment?
Answer: The parent / guardian must complete an application form that is available in the
central office of Iowa school districts. The open form is also available via the Department’s
web site. The completed form must be filed with both the resident and receiving district by
March 1, 2019 of the year preceding the school year for which open enrollment is desired for
students entering grades 1 through 12. The deadline for kindergarten students is September
1, 2019.
Question: May a student who is presently open enrolled into one receiving district
change enrollment to a different receiving district?
Answer: Yes. In such a case, the parent / guardian files an OE application with the district
the student is currently attending (receiving district) and the district the student wants to
attend (alternate receiving district). The new district (alternate receiving district) will notify
the parent/guardian, original district of residence, and resident district of acceptance or
denial. The application deadline is March 1. 281-IAC 17.8(4)
Question: May an open enrolled student return to the district of residence?
Answer: Yes. A pupil that is open enrolled may return to the district of residence, and enroll, at any time (unless under suspension or expulsion). The parent or guardian must notify the district of residence and the receiving district in writing of the decision to enroll the pupil in the district of residence. This will terminate open enrollment. 281-IAC 17.8(10)
Question: Who is responsible for school transportation for an open enrolled student?
Answer: The parent or guardian is responsible for transporting the student to and from the receiving district unless the family qualifies for transportation assistance. See the requirements on page 17. 281- IAC 17.9(1) This applies even if the student has an IEP and transportation is listed on the IEP.
Question: How long should a district maintain open enrollment records?
Answer: According to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Manual, general
correspondence should be maintained for 3 years. Open enrollment records should be
maintained for 3 years after the student graduates or stops attending the receiving district.
Question: Are there any exceptions to the March 1 deadline?
Answer: Yes. An open enrollment request for a prospective kindergarten student must be
filed with the resident and receiving district by September 1 of the school year of enrollment into kindergarten. 281-IAC 17.7
The following circumstances are considered "good cause" and are acceptable conditions for a timeline waiver IF the change occurred / began AFTER March 1. 281-IAC 17.4
• Change in family district of residence
• Change in the marital status of the student's parents resulting in a change in resident
district
• Placement of the child in foster care resulting in a change of residence
• Adoption
• Participation in a foreign exchange program
• Participation in a substance abuse or mental health treatment program resulting in a change of residence
• Serious health need (see #15)
• Pervasive Harassment (see #14)
• Failure of district negotiations to reorganization or rejection of a proposed reorganization
plan after March 1. Open enrollment request must be filed within 45 days of the last
board action or within 30 days of certification of an election, whichever is applicable.
When does a student’s open enrollment end?
Answer: Open enrollment terminates when the student graduates, moves into the receiving
district, moves out of state, moves into another Iowa district and chooses to attend the new
resident district, attends an accredited nonpublic school, or drops out of school. If a student
is placed temporarily in foster care, a juvenile detention center, a treatment facility, or similar
placement, the open enrollment status will automatically be reinstated when the student
returns. 281-IAC 17.8(10) Open enrollment is terminated when the student attends the
resident district.
Question: Does an open enrollment request have to be renewed annually?
Answer: No, as long as the receiving district remains the same, open enrollment to that
district continues until the student graduates, drops out of school, or until the
parent/guardian notify the district that they desire to terminate open enrollment. 281-IAC
17.8(5)
