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In November, there was an incident reported on a Charlotte County Public Schools bus. As it was described by members of the sheriff’s office, two children, a four-year-old and six-year-old, were engaged in “inappropriate contact” en route to school. That’s a part in contention, as the four-year-old’s family says that the younger child was a victim, not a participant. The sheriff’s office investigated and wrapped up without any criminal charges. Now, as that younger child’s family wants to change schools, they’re still waiting on approval to do so. 

The younger child’s family has requested a change within Charlotte County Public Schools, switching from one elementary to another. But to date, they haven’t been successful in getting the ok needed. The Gazette spoke with Charlotte County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Robbie Mason about how this works, what the process is to get a transfer approved and what’s needed. He provided the policy governing this type of situation. 

“Out-of-zone approvals (transfers from one elementary school to another within CCPS) are governed by regulations within our school board policy,” Mason said. “Out-of-zone requests are considered by the Superintendent who has been designated by the School Board to grant or deny such requests. Specific decisions are made on a case-by-case basis with the regulations being applied to each case.” 

Now Mason made it clear he couldn’t speak about this case specifically. He could only talk in general about the policy and what’s involved.  

What does the Charlotte policy say? 

Charlotte County Public Schools policy gives four ways a student can get approved for a transfer in the district. First, if he or she moves into a different school zone and wants to still attend their previous school. In that case, the parent can provide transportation. Second, the school division can request that a parent allow their child to attend an elementary school outside of their school zone to assist in “balancing the number of students with specific health conditions in our elementary schools.” 

Third, if a student has an individualized education plan or Section 504 plan to receive services the home school just can’t provide, then the district can relocate the child to a new school. And the fourth reason why a student can (or can’t) be transferred in the district involves Early Childhood Special Education. Those classes are only taught currently at one specific elementary school, Bacon District, so Early Childhood Special Education students from around the county attend classes at that one location. Then when they move up to kindergarten, they “will be required to attend their in-zone elementary school.” 

Those are the only exemptions given in the Charlotte policy for a transfer to another school. Beyond that, it would be up to the superintendent. Mason said in each case, parents are notified about approval or denial. However he couldn’t speak about specific incidents or why decisions were made in those cases.