School board discusses finalized boundaries for next year, student transfer process

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Parents can now view which public school their child has been assigned to next year as part of updated boundaries for the St. Joseph School District.

The St. Joseph School District Board of Education announced at Monday's public work session that new boundaries have been finalized in wake of the district's 4BR reorganization plan approved Nov. 24.

Parents and families can view boundaries and see what school their child is assigned to by going to the district's website and entering a home address to verify.

The district intends to send out additional information about the student transfer application process around the holiday break.

"We plan on sending out communication to our families or are hoping by the holiday break, but no later than January," Superintendent Dr. Ashly McGinnis said. "This is so that all of our families are clear on where (their) students will be going to school next year. We want to ensure we have the capacity in all of our buildings to adequately serve all of our students."

Regarding transfers, there are exceptions for students with learning disabilities or those in situations involving foster care or homelessness.

If a parent believes a student should be attending a different school than what they're currently assigned to, they can fill out and submit a transfer request form for review.

"They will go through the transfer request practice and submit the form for consideration to a committee we are establishing to review all of the transfer requests," McGinnis said. "The committee will thoroughly review those requests and make sure it's a fair practice."

Once further announcements have been made, a deadline will be set for when transfer applications need to be submitted.