Transfers, Waivers, and the Impacts on Region 2 Enrollment

In a season of giving thanks, PSD School Board President Joseph Romero opened the School Capacity and Utilization Task Force (SCUT) meeting on November 8 by expressing his deep gratitude for the unwavering commitment, exceptional talent, and valuable time contributed by the task force members. He underscored the paramount importance of their work and his excitement for the wealth of diverse ideas that the task force would explore, review, and present to the board this upcoming spring.

During the November 8 meeting, the task force delved deeper into the opportunities and challenges within Region 2, the catchment area of Rogers High School. This region includes Ballou Junior High, Stahl Junior High, Brouillet, Carson, Dessie Evans, Firgrove, Woodland, and Zeiger elementary schools. It quickly became apparent that the housing and growth challenges in Region 1 were distinct from those in Region 2, located just across State Route 161 (Meridian).

In Region 2, the highest concentration of new housing is expected within the growth is expected in the Zeiger Elementary area, with two new housing developments planned near 128th Street in the next few years, among others.  However, the amount of proposed new housing in Region 2 is minor compared to the proposed housing within Region 1.

Another factor affecting school enrollment in Region 2 is in-district transfers and non-resident transfers. 

In-district transfers are common across the district, with students requesting to attend a different school than their home school for various reasons. Parents can request transfers through an application process, with approval contingent on factors like space availability and a requirement to provide self-transportation to and from school. In-district transfers, once approved, are “grandfathered” to the school and need not reapply. Task force members were given the full copy of board policy 3131 & 3131R to review. 

In contrast, non-resident transfers are granted for one school year only, and requests for continued attendance must be initiated annually, subject to similar considerations such as space availability and transportation.

For PSD, the district attracted over 1,400 students from neighboring districts during the 2022-2023 school year, with a significant number of waivers concentrated around Region 2 schools. This discussion underscored the relevance and impact of in-district transfer and non-resident transfer policies within the district.

The task force also explored the multiple data inputs included when analyzing student enrollment and projections. This process involves six key inputs, categorized into birth data, mobility factors, and student yield data (assessor data and current student counts), with enrollment projections made in January. However, it's essential to acknowledge that these are estimates and can be influenced by external factors, such as political, social, and environmental events, as exemplified by the unexpected challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021.

The most challenging factor to track is mobility, as sudden changes in rent rates or economic shifts can significantly alter school enrollment over a short period, typically during the summer.

The task force then delved into the Carson Elementary enrollment case study, illustrating the complexities of enrollment management. Carson Elementary, situated in Region 2, experienced fluctuations in enrollment over the years, influenced by events like the opening of Dessie Evans Elementary, boundary revisions, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The big question that remains is how new communities in Region 1 will respond to the growth in their buildings. Will it lead to an increase in transfer applications from students residing in neighboring school districts? Additionally, the opening of a new elementary school in Bethel raises the question of whether students currently attending PSD through waivers will return to Bethel.

In conclusion, the meeting emphasized the significance of the task force's work and the diverse ideas being explored. It focused on the differing challenges and opportunities in different regions of the Puyallup School District, particularly highlighting the contrast between Region 1 and Region 2. The task force faces the challenge of analyzing and managing enrollment, transfers, and waivers in a dynamic educational landscape, where projections and policies must adapt to external influences.

The task force is scheduled to meet again on November 30, 2023, to discuss Region 3, the Puyallup High School catchment area. 

To access presentation materials and stay updated on the School Capacity and Utilization progress, visit http://www.puyallupsd.org/scut.

For more information, including the February 13, 2024, Capital Levy and Capital Budget, visit the following links:

• Feb. 13, 2024, Capital Levy: http://www.puyallupsd.org/levy
•  Capital Budget: https://puyallupsd.org/capitalbudget

In-district transfers and non-resident transfers.  

In-district transfer – an in-district transfer is an application from a student residing within the Puyallup School District to attend a school different from their home school.  

• Parents may request their student(s) transfer to attend another school in the district via an application process with the district. 
• Determination of approval is based on multiple factors, including space availability at the requested school.​ 
• Transfer approval is conditioned upon several factors, including the family’s ability to provide transportation to/from school. 
   

Non-resident transfer – a non-resident transfer is an application from a student outside of the Puyallup School District to attend a Puyallup school.  

• Requests for continued attendance (at all grade levels) must be initiated by the parent/guardian annually.​ 
• Determination of approval is based on multiple factors, including space availability at the requested school. 
• Non-resident transfer approval is conditioned upon several factors, including the family’s ability to provide transportation to/from school.