Board postpones open enrollment policy

GIRARD -- The board of education has postponed open enrollment until it has more information.
The board unanimously delayed any action Tuesday night after hearing concerns from parents.
Board members Jane Harris and Rosemary Schmitt said they would have voted against the policy had it come to the floor.
The initiative recommended by Superintendent Anthony D'Ambrosio is designed to generate revenue because of the decline in enrollment, especially junior and senior high pupils.
The district would receive $4,600 per pupil that it enrolls. D'Ambrosio said revenue must be generated because he doesn't want to cut staff or ask voters to approve additional taxes.
Concerns expressed: Some parents questioned the quality of pupil that open enrollment would attract.
D'Ambrosio said officials in districts with open enrollment say they have not had major problems.
He explained that he and the building principals would screen the applicants. The district will not accept special-needs pupils because there is no room in that program.
Also, pupils who have been suspended or expelled from another school would not be accepted.
D'Ambrosio said he is hoping to attract pupils who want to take advantage of the education system.
"I'm not going to sacrifice the district for money," he said.
Some parents expressed concern that Girard pupils will not play sports because they have to make way for transfer student athletes.
D'Ambrosio said he will not recruit to improve sports teams, but it's a possibility that transfer students could beat out local athletes.