The Allegan Area Educational
Services Agency Schools of Choice plan is intended to provide
academic options to enhance learning for students, and foster a
cooperative environment to benefit all districts.
AAESA districts are
participating in the state mandated 105 and 105c Schools of Choice
plans. The 105 section refers to districts within the AAESA
(Allegan, Fennville, Glenn, Hopkins, Martin, Otsego, Plainwell and
Wayland). The 105c section addresses students residing in a
contiguous ISD outside the Allegan County ISD (Barry ISD, Kalamazoo
RESA, Kent ISD, Ottawa ISD and Van Buren ISD).
Each school district within
the Allegan County ISD shall determine annually if it will accept
non-resident students. The school districts shall publish the
grades, schools, and special programs, if any, for which enrollment
may be available to non-resident applicants.
If a school district has a
limited number of positions available for non-resident applicants,
the district shall:
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Provide notice to the
general public of the number of openings available, and the
manner an place for submitting applications.
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Use a random draw
"lottery" system conducted by the Allegan County Schools of
Choice Committee.
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Develop and maintain a
waiting list based on the order in which non-resident applicants
were drawn under this lottery. If positions become available
after the lottery drawing, applicants shall be selected from
this waiting list.
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Contact and enroll all
applicants no later than the end of the first week of school.
A school district may refuse
enrollment to a non-resident Schools of Choice student that has been
suspended within the past two(2) years, or has ever been expelled.
Previous year Schools of
Choice students may remain in the non-resident district until
graduation. A district does not need to retain a student who gets
expelled.
Non-resident applicants
residing in the same household shall receive preference over other
applicants.
Schools of Choice students
must meet the same criteria as resident students to be accepted for
enrollment in a grade or specialized program.
All first year Schools of
Choice parents/guardian(s) and students must meet with a building
administrator or counselor prior to the start of school to schedule
classes and review building procedures.
The receiving school
district is not required to provide transportation for a
non-resident student, however Otsego Public Schools will try to
accommodate transportation needs. Parents may contact the school
district's Transportation office, 692-6245, to locate the bus stop
that is nearest to their home. In the event a special education
students enrolls through Schools of Choice, the transportation will
be determined by the student's individualized education plan (IEP).
Michigan High School Athletic
Association (MHSAA) rules and regulations apply to all students
participating in interscholastic athletics. Under the MHSAA
transfer rule, unless residency is established, high school students
who transfer by choice form one school to another are not eligible
to participate in interscholastic athletics for one full semester.
If further clarification regarding the MHSAA transfer rules is
required, it is the responsibility of the party (parent, student, or
school district) to contact the MHSAA for a ruling (517.332.5046)
Application Procedures
Application form for Non-Residents
Application form for Residents
(of school districts within the AAESA)
