This is a scan of the response:
Here is a text version of the body of the message (I've copied it by hand, so let me know if there are errors):
Dear Ron and Denise:
This letter is a response to the formal complaint that we discussed when we met in my office on March 19, 2007. At our meeting, you provided me with a written memorandum entitled "Points of Concern." I will respond to each of your three points in the letter.
After reviewing our practices regarding transportation provided to half-time kindergarten students, I feel that we have not done an adequate job as a school district of providing parents with information about the availability of district transportation for kindergarten to and from school each day. To rectify this I have directed staff to include in a mailing to all 2007-2008 kindergarten parents written information on district provided transportation to and from school on each day kindergarten is in session. The letter to the parents will include the statement,
"Please notify your assigned school if you will need transportation services provided by the district. Transportation will be provided if the student is attending their neighborhood school and live more than one mile from the school. Please note: Student transfers outside of the neighborhood school boundary do not receive district transportation services, according to board policy and administrative rules."
On the second issue, the Corvallis School District provides a free half-time kindergarten program to all children and the option for parents to pay tuition to provide their child with a five day a week full-day or three day a week full-day program. ORS 327-006(1) includes the statement: "The aggregate days membership of kindergarten pupil shall be calculated on the basis of a half-day program." This language provides districts with the flexibility to group the half-time kindergarten time to provide for creativity in working with our students. It also allows school districts to work with their community of parents to structure the school day to meet local needs. This is the case for our 2.5 day program. as you and I discussed when we met, there are several parents who more recently have been requesting five day a week half-time program access. Mrs. Pearson and I spoke yesterday and she informed me that the requests that she has from parents currently are about equal regarding requests for a five day a week half-time program and for a 2.5 day a week program. With the note above that the school district will communicate more aggressively with next year's kindergarten parents regarding the provision of the district transportation to and from school, Adams Elementary and other elementary school in the district may seen an increase in interest for the five day a week half-time program.
On the third issue, the Corvallis School District, like many other districts in the state, provides the only mandatory program under law to all students and that is a half-time program. ORS 339.115 requires the district school board to admit free of charge in the schools of the district all persons between the ages of 5 and 19 who reside within the school district. ORS 339.155 prohibits certain fees as condition to admission. a district school board shall not require payment of fees as a condition of admission to those pupils entitled under the law to free admission. By reason of the ORS 327.006(1), the free admission is one-half of the regular school week. Therefore, admission may be charged for courses not part of the regular school program, according to ORS 339.155(1)(a). The hours beyond our aggregate half-time membership for kindergarten students are not a part of the regular school program. Tuition is paid by parents who wish to extend this time beyond the half-time hours. Scholarship money is collected to help support the families who have limited financial resources to have increased access to this additional program time.
In reviewing your requests for resolution, I feel that the district can to a better job of communicating with kindergarten parents about transportation and free admission for all kindergarten children to our half-time programs. The district will be revising our written information and kindergarten parent orientations to accomplish this goal. I was pleased to hear your report that you feel Adams Elementary School provided better information this year to parents regarding kindergarten options.
I would like to acknowledge your concerns and express appreciation for bringing them to the district. I know that it can be frustrating addressing a large system and our conversation has helped me to assess where we need to improve our communications. I have confidence that Principal Pearson and the leadership of our elementary schools are taking a hard look at the structure of our instructional time for our kindergarten students, taking into consideration the developmental needs and differences of our young children.
Sincerely,
Dawn Tarzian
Superintendent
C: Kathy Rodeman
Patty Pearson
We could not be happier with the resolution of the bussing issue. We feel that this is an ideal resolution.
We are disappointed in the district's interpretation of the tuition issue, especially in light of ORS 139.147. I continue to note that they haven't really dealt with the issue. I have claimed that they CAN charge tuition in certain cases, but NEVER to low-income families. Their response seems to be that they assert their right to charge tuition.
Yes! I agree, you can, but you still haven't addressed the implications of ORS 139.147 which prohibits charging low-income families.
We plan on appealing this ruling to the School Board of District 509J.
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