Public Chapter 411 is a law that requires school systems in the state of Tennessee to develop a policy designating an “Open Enrollment” period. The Claiborne County Open Enrollment period is going on now.
Claiborne County Board of Education policy designates 30 days prior to the date students are required to attend the first day of school each year as the Open Enrollment period. The Open Enrollment dates for the 2016-2017 school year are July 1-Aug. 2, 2016. The first half-day of school for students to attend is Aug. 3.
• What is Public School Open Enrollment? Open Enrollment allows children within a school system to attend schools in a district other than the one in which they live.
• How may parents apply? The Open Enrollment Application can be found and printed online at www.claibornecountyschools.com. The application can also be obtained at any school within the district, or at the Claiborne County Board of Education’s district office. Once the application has been completed, it should be submitted to the principal of the school where attendance is being requested. If a parent has more than one child, a separate application for each child should be completed.
• Can an application be rejected? Yes. Nonresident schools may deny an application if space within the grade level is not available. Acceptance is at the principal’s discretion. If there are more applications than spaces, students will be selected in the order of the date the application was received, with preference being given to students who attended the nonresident school the previous school year and their siblings.
• Can parents appeal if an application is denied? Yes. Parents may appeal the assignment of a student to the board within the first ten days of a school year. An Open Enrollment Appeal Form can be found online at www.claibornecountyschools.com. Parents should complete the form and submit it to the Claiborne County Board of Education’s district office.
• Must students reapply every year? If a student has attended a nonresident school the previous school year, the student is automatically enrolled without going through the application process.
• Who is responsible for transportation? Parents are responsible for transporting their children to and from a nonresident school.
For more information, contact the Claiborne County Board of Education at 423-626-3543.