San Juan Capistrano : Open Enrollment Plan OKd by Board

Trustees in the Capistrano Unified School District have approved a preliminary framework that will allow parents to choose any school in the district for their children, regardless of where they live.

The trustees unanimously approved a preliminary policy last week that will expand choices for parents by offering open enrollment at all schools, a move started by district officials in 1992.

Since the district started crafting its policy, state legislators approved a law this summer requiring school districts to set up open enrollment policies by July, 1994.

Under the proposed policy, which would begin in the 1994-95 school year, schools would still have boundaries and children would be assigned to a school.

However, parents could enroll their children at another school outside their school boundaries if space were available.

The proposed policy includes criteria for assigning student priority for available spaces. In cases where demand outpaced available space, the district would hold a lottery to make assignments.

Parents would be notified each year of the options available to them involving school choice.

The policy also includes restrictions involving transfers for varsity athletes.

In most cases, parents would have to provide transportation for their children to schools outside their home boundaries.

Trustees said they believe most parents will want to send their children to the school closest to their homes.

But the trustees realize that some will want to choose another school for one reason or another.