Districts turn to next step

Learning community school districts received a total of 1,859 applications for open enrollment slots for next school year.

Low-income students submitted 496 applications --- about one in four.

The enrollment period is closed, and schools officials will now turn to the next step under the state's diversity plan for Douglas and Sarpy Counties: matching children to available slots.

The voluntary plan, new this year, aims to move poor children to affluent schools, and vice versa, so the enrollment in every school reflects the overall balance of higher-income and lower-income students in the learning community. This year, the learning community overall has 40 percent low-income students.

Only a handful of mailed applications trickled in after the March 15 deadline, leaving the total number of applications far short of the movement required to produce substantial enrollment change. Learning community officials have expressed optimism that with more promotion and awareness, numbers will go up in future years.

The 11 districts enroll about 107,000 children.

The Millard Public Schools, which enrolls 22,000 students, reported receiving the most applications of any district, 535, of which 85 were from low-income students. Douglas County West Community Schools received the least, 10, half of which were low income.

The Omaha Public Schools received 65, with 13 from low-income students.

Transfers will be prioritized. First are siblings of students who will be enrolled as continuing students in the school. Then come students who contribute to the socioeconomic diversity of the school that is, the mix of affluent and poor kids. Last is everyone else.

Districts must notify parents whose application has been approved by April 5. Parents must accept the slot by April 25 or lose it.

Contact the writer:

444-1077, joe.dejka@owh.com

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