A parent/guardian of a homeless student has the right to enroll his/her child(ren) in either the “school of origin,” which may be the last school attended when permanently housed (to the extent reasonably feasible, and if in the best interest of the homeless student) or the school which serves the location where the student currently resides. The school must provide the parent/guardian, or unaccompanied student, written information regarding school selection or enrollment options available to homeless students under the McKinney-Vento Act.
If a
school selection or enrollment dispute develops over the selection or
enrollment options available pursuant to the McKinney-Vento Act, the school
must immediately enroll the homeless student to the school in which enrollment
is sought by the parent/guardian, pending resolution of the dispute. In the
case of an unaccompanied student, the district homeless coordinator will ensure
that the student is immediately enrolled in the school pending resolution of
the dispute.
In order
to initiate the dispute resolution process, the Selma
City Schools McKinney Vento Student Dispute Resolution Form must
be completed and filed with the principal of the school wherein the student is
currently enrolled.
After receipt of the Selma
City Schools McKinney Vento Student Dispute Resolution Form, the
school principal shall meet with the parent/guardian or unaccompanied student
in an effort to resolve the school selection or enrollment dispute. If a school
selection or enrollment resolution is not reached at the school level, the
school principal must notify the district's homeless coordinator of the
dispute, and refer the parent/guardian or unaccompanied student to the district
homeless coordinator.
The
district's homeless coordinator shall meet with the parent/guardian or
unaccompanied student in an effort to resolve the school selection or
enrollment dispute. Within ten (10) business days of the meeting, the
district's homeless coordinator shall provide the parent/guardian or
unaccompanied student a written decision regarding the school selection or
enrollment decision. The decision shall also include a statement regarding the
right to file a complaint with the Alabama State Department of Education
(ALSDE).
Complaints to the ALSDE shall be in
writing and signed by the parent/guardian or unaccompanied student and mailed
or delivered to:
State Homeless Coordinator
Alabama State Department of Education
5348 Gordon Persons Building
50 North Ripley Street
Montgomery, AL 36104-2101
The State Homeless Coordinator will inform
the involved school district(s) of the complaint. The Coordinator will gather needed
information and statements of the parties involved and may conduct an
independent investigation through an on-site if necessary.
The State Homeless Coordinator, in
consultation with other state officials, will render a written decision and
inform the interested parties.
If the parent/guardian or unaccompanied
student disagrees with the decision rendered by the ALSDE, the parent/guardian or
unaccompanied student has the right to file a complaint with the U. S.
Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.