Existing law authorizes the governing boards of 2 or more school districts to enter into an agreement, for a term not to exceed 5 school years, for the interdistrict attendance of pupils who are residents of the school districts. If a school district enters into an agreement, existing law requires, among other things, (1) that the agreement stipulate the terms and conditions under which interdistrict attendance will be permitted or denied, (2) that the school district post on its internet website the procedures and timelines regarding a request for an interdistrict transfer permit, as provided, and (3) if the school district denies a request for an interdistrict transfer, that the school district advise the parent, in writing, of the right to appeal to the county board of education within 30 calendar days from the date of the final denial.

This bill would require the governing board of a school that has entered into an agreement, on or after January 1, 2027, for the interdistrict attendance of pupils to adopt, and post on its internet website, a policy that includes specified provisions, including that (1) if a response is not issued by the school district of residence within 30 calendar days, the request will be deemed as approved for release, (2) for a school district of proposed enrollment, the school district will notify a parent of its final decision within 45 calendar days of the request and if the school district fails to respond, the request will be deemed as approved, (3) a pupil who has been expelled or is under consideration for expulsion may be denied an interdistrict transfer, and (4) a school district of proposed enrollment may issue a provisional acceptance in cases where enrollment capacity is impacted, as provided. The bill would require all interdistrict agreements entered into on or after January 1, 2027, to also contain those specified provisions, as provided. The bill would authorize the parent or guardian of a pupil to submit an interdistrict transfer request concurrently to the school district of residence and the school district of proposed agreement if there is an interdistrict agreement between the 2 schools districts, and would authorize the school district of proposed enrollment to begin reviewing the request upon receipt, as provided.