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School board will review policy on student transfers

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

(Updated 3:24 pm)

By Jennifer Fernandez
Staff Writer

GREENSBORO — Nearly one-fourth of students in Guilford County Schools live in one attendance zone but go to school in another zone.

The reasons that parents give for wanting to move their students range from child care to a new job. Last school year, the district approved about 16,000 students to transfer, according to district data. Of those, about 7,100 sought particular schools for academic programs, such as magnet schools.

Not on the list? Sports.

Athletics is not included in the long list of approved reasons to transfer.

School board member Darlene Garrett said Tuesday that the Guilford County Board of Education will be looking at its transfer policy and making changes, specifically regarding sports. That could include making student-athletes sit out a season if they transfer, as some other school districts do, she said.

The issue of students living in one zone but attending school in another has become a question as the district investigates allegations of athletics recruiting and eligibility at Northern Guilford High School.

“It’s not only Northern,” Garrett said, referring to how the district’s transfer policy relates to sports. “It’s been an ongoing issue, but certainly Northern has brought it to light.”

Guilford County Schools administrators remain mum on the details of the Northern investigation, which was announced last week when the principal, athletics director and head custodian resigned.

Garrett, whose school board district includes Northern Guilford, said the investigation is looking at athletics eligibility, which includes students’ grades, residence status and attendance records. The academic portion extends beyond sports teams and will explore overall grading and student achievement at the school, she said.

The district also is looking at possible recruiting at Northern, Garrett said. Northern opened in fall 2007 and produced its first state basketball championship in March.

Three team members and their families moved into Northern’s attendance zone from Page and High Point Central high schools and Caswell County. Two other students received permission from the school district to attend Northern while living in another attendance zone.

Doyle Craven, the district’s director of student assignment, could not be reached for comment Tuesday about the district’s transfer policy.

But according to policies and guidelines on the Guilford County Schools’ Web site, the district reviews each request — looking at the reason for the transfer and space availability at the receiving school.

District policy allows students a lot of latitude when requesting reassignment. Students can change schools because of documented medical reasons, because a sibling transferred there or because of policies allowing students to stay at a school after redistricting.

Last year, the school district approved transfers for 17 students claiming unusual hardship, 339 saying it was in the “best interest of the child” and 65 citing safety, records show.

The district denied 1,840 requests last year, up from 1,768 the year before. That doesn’t include students denied placement in magnet schools, which increased to 1,909 from 1,777 in that same time.

Students must reapply to transfer each year. And if they transfer for an academic program, students must meet program requirements to maintain their spot at the school.

Occasionally, parents will cite athletics as a reason for the transfer in their appeal, Garrett said.

“We’ll let them know that is not something that is allowed,” Garrett said. “It’s not part of the criteria and might work against them if they’re saying that. Generally, most of them know that they’re not supposed to be doing that.”

Contact Jennifer Fernandez at 373-7064 or jennifer.fernandez@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

Margaret Baxter (News & Record)

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lhbbmb

April 15, 2009 - 9:14 am EDT

Dear Ms. Garrett,
First of all I thought you were supposed to be our representative at Northern. If so where have you been????? Not stepping up and talking about any of our positives that is for sure. Second how can you make a statement condeming any child or teacher in academics no matter if it is math or PE class without proof? An investigation is not proof but in the community you are guilty until proven innocent and we all know that. With friends like you who needs enemies? I not saying hide the truth I am saying state proven facts.
Thank you to all the teachers for the tutoring availible to all students and the hard work in the classroom.. We are Northern Guilford and we are not the devil and we do not cheat as easily as we breath. Thanks MsGarrett for all your support. I guess I will see you at the school next week. Do you need the address?

Garth

April 15, 2009 - 10:31 am EDT

Mrs. Garrett’s support for Northern Middle and High as well as for all schools is phenomenal. As an advocate for children and teachers she is THE BEST. I cannot comment of the Athletics Issue but if rules were violated at Northwest, Central or Northern etc., she would be first to object.

upsetparent

April 15, 2009 - 10:35 am EDT

I can't believe that Ms. Garrett said those things!!! Kids have been studying very hard in Northern, and teachers have been eager to help and they go to school earlier in countless mornings to have study sessions and make themselves available to kids afterschool. How dare Ms. Garrett made those comments!!! It's not fair to the teachers and students!! I can assure you that when my son and their friends achiving at school was not because of cheating, it's because of their hard work. They stayed up late and had many study sessions in different families...they gave up opportunities to party and play... Shame on you Ms. Garrett!

america

April 15, 2009 - 11:47 am EDT

No suprise at Mrs. Garrett's comments. Her singular focus and support of NWHS while ignoring us here at Northern is obvious. She's also made it clear that she has no respect or appreciation for our coaches. Evidently there's a personal grudge against one, and maybe all of them. I have a hard time understanding why GCS is wasting time on this when the records show 25% of students transfer. I guess it's OK to move to a school for academic reasons, but athletes don't count. I wonder how many students transferred to NWHS to be on the We The People team. You won't hear anyone talk about this, will you? Mr. Hebert, I respect and admire you. However, Mrs. Garrett is not "phenominal". She's MIA at Northern and she's letting her personal beliefs and dislikes drive her decisions. She's supposed to represent us (the parents and students), not take actions to drive her personal vendettas. We need a school board member willing to represent ALL of us - including our student athletes and coaches. My son deserves her support as well as every other elected official that impacts his education. Yes, he's an athlete. Yes, we moved into the district when the school opened. No, it wasn't for the sports program. We moved, (like 99% of do) because we were finally able to afford a home in a nicer neighborhood, with better schools. Sadly, the representation from our BOE in this district is worse. I miss Amos Quick and his support of all of his constituents.

Dogwood

April 15, 2009 - 12:31 pm EDT

The above blogs hit the nail on the head. Northwest started this nonsense.

willtheyeverlearn

April 16, 2009 - 10:44 pm EDT

america
NWHS, Northern,etc....whatever all of you feel your needs are the most imporant please......... I can see that you are very passionate in what You are saying, I wonder if you were that passionate when you were in Amos Quicks district doubtful because those are the kind of parents that we need in this district but no we are always the ones who get left behind, I bet it never crossed your mind to to stay and support the school you were already at so glad to get away so congrats to you for getting out hope everthing goes well for you all over there yet again taking away needed funds from us over here where you were so happy to get away from

Nighthawk

April 15, 2009 - 12:41 pm EDT

Are you guys kidding me? Darlene Garrett is the most fair, constant advocate for Guilford County students that I know of. She works tirelessly for the schools in her district and all the children of Guilford County. But, trust me, she will make sure that the rules are applied fairly and in the exact same way across the board. AS IT SHOULD BE. That is all she is saying. And, I am sure if your son or daughter had a problem that she would return your phone call and email just as quickly as she does mine.

america

April 15, 2009 - 7:00 pm EDT

Really??? Fair and constant advocate? Every word quoted in this article specifically targets athletes. If she's "fair and constant" (and I'll add consistent) she will not target one group. If she said that ALL transfers were going to be evaluated and then left it there, she'd have my support. By the way, Mrs. Garrett is supposed to be an advocate for ALL students in her district. If rules were "applied fairly and in the exact same way across the board" she wouldn't be speaking about athletes only. The fact is that except for a couple of student-athletes at Northern, all others live in this attendance zone. Those that do not live in the district were approved by the GCS administration. She has yet to explain what she has against families that choose to live in this district and move into this area of the county. Is she offended that good families and good students are choosing this area over her beloved NWHS district? Mrs. Garrett doesn't like it, but she's not calling for an investigation of the administrators that made these decisions. Nope. She's going after the students and the coaches. If Mrs. Garrett is going to be fair and consistent, she needs to announce that Beta club members that transfer will have to sit out of those activities for a year, as well as transferring band members, AP, and IB students. Of course that's not going to happen because she's only concerned about the sports programs at one single school. Does anybody know what she's got against athletes and the coaches? Seems to me she's got personal issues and she wants to throw her weight around.

tryingtoremainneutral

April 15, 2009 - 7:20 pm EDT

Seems to me that some of you just can't let things alone until the investigation is finished. Darlene has all of the students and staff best intrerest at heart she served on the build team at Northern and attended most of the meetings so why not let this thing play out and see what happens. Also in order to end the recuritment thing if a child goes to a school out of their district make them return to their home school district for athletics it is just that simple

Nighthawk

April 15, 2009 - 8:42 pm EDT

I believe Mrs. Garrett is a member of the PTSA at Northern and she is also a sponsor of the PTSA. She could walk to the school from her home and acted on our behalf at the BOE meeting a couple of weeks ago. Are you a fully informed parent or are you just a parent of a basketball player that moved so that their child could attend Northern? I would love to speak to you because I think you have a misconception about our school board representative. Are you an active member of the PTSA and booster club--two important parent organizations at our school? I am. BTW, there's a meeting Sunday night at the school to help plan Nighthawk Night. Can you attend? Cause we are about 2 percent of the people trying to do about 100 percent of the work and we could use your help! You sound like you have a passion for the school like we do! Go Nighthawks!

america

April 16, 2009 - 1:57 pm EDT

Neutral, How many "investigations" do we need before we "leave things alone"? This is the 3rd time to my limited knowledge that they have "investigated" this thing. Odd that we're waiting for another investigation to be completed, but a principal, athletic director, and custodian have all lost their jobs. No one has yet to say that any law, policy, or rule has been broken. Guilty until proven innocent, I guess. The first investigation turned up no wrong-doing, but that wasn't good enough because somebody believesNorthern had to cheat to win a state championship. The second investigation got as much publicity as possible so that it looked legitimate, but still no wrong-doing is discovered. It's like they are going to keep going until they can make up something to justify their actions. As noted earlier, are administrators that approved the transfers being investigated? Other schools? Non sport programs? Nooooooooo. Just target Northern kids and our sports program.
Nighhawk, Mrs Garrett is a member of the PTSA at Northern, NWHS, and Western. She's probably a PTSA member of every elementary and middle school in her district. So what? That's just part of being a politician. What has she done to support the athletic department and student athletes here at Northern? NOTHING. Yes, we belong to the PTSA, but we're also a working family that can't participate in every school function because of work obligations and church responsibilities.
By the way, my kids tell me that Mrs. Garrett's daughter doesn't attend the school in her district either. Mrs. Garrett probably belongs to that school's PTSA too. I'm sure it's all legal and approved by the administrators, but you're not going to hear about that at the BOE investigation. Did she have to sit out of all extra-curricular activities for a year? Is there an investigation? Hmmmmm.

KatelynGarrett

April 16, 2009 - 9:17 pm EDT

"america"-

I'm a senior at Weaver Academy a performing and visual arts school in Greensboro. My school is somewhat of a magnet school that I chose to attend to enhance my knowledge and experience in theatre. However; I did not simply "ask Mommy" if her good 'ol BOE friends could approve my admittance into this school. I had to work for it, unlike many students transferring into schools with "good" athletic departments. Basically I had to spend an extensive amount of time filling out an application on why I would be a good asset for Weaver Academy. Then I had to show up at the school and audition with a memorized piece and a cold reading. I had to work for my spot in this wonderful school I attend. My peers all went through the same process and most of us have to travel a mild distance because yes, it is out of our district. Weaver is one of the only schools where it IS legal to do so because we all come together to focus on our art and our passion. So please don't demoralize my school and my efforts to achieve the chance to attend it. I completely got in on my own, no help from "mommy".

And furthermore, even if I had desired to attend Northern I was not allowed to due to the fact that I was to be a junior that year and they only were accepting 9-10th grade. Please, next time you choose to attack my mother's moral standards (which frankly, it seems you know nothing about) get your facts straight first.

america

April 17, 2009 - 7:48 pm EDT

Miss Garrett, I apologize if I offended you personally in any way. I did not state nor did I imply that you "ask(ed) mommy" or got "her good 'ol BOE friends" to get involved. I referred to the fact (which you confirmed) that you do not attend the school in your district. You also confirmed and supported my point... You and others chose to attend another school "to focus on our art and our passion." Would it be acceptable to you if other students were allowed to make that same decision if their "art and passion" are sports? Certainly you do not believe that performing art students should receive perks and benefits that other students would be denied. Right? I'm quite sure that you are a very intelligent and talented young lady. I'm also certain that you had to work hard to achive your goals and hope to reap the benefits of this hard work. I pray that your success exceeds your wildest dreams. Can you not see that it is perhaps those same dreams and goals that student athletes yearn to realize? Would you deny them the same opportunities to develop their talents that you have received? Why is it acceptable for art-type students to choose a school, but not athletes. There are drama and art classes at every high school. You note that it "IS legal" to attend Weaver. The GCS administration is fully aware of every student that transfers to every school since they have to approve these in advance. Seems to me that these transfers (all 16,000) are "legal" as well, or some administrators are doing something illegal. I don't think that's the case. I was not aware of the school you chose to attend until your posting, so I struggle to see how I could "demoralize your school". Finally, I cannot see where your mother's moral character was ever called into question. Her lack of support for our athletic department and our student athletes at Northern is questioned - that has everything to do with her political position, her perceived dislike of certain coaches and staff members, and decisions and/or lack therof - not her morals standards.

1Voice

April 17, 2009 - 10:46 pm EDT

Oh america how can you be so blind as to not see the error of your ways and words. The venom of your disdain for Darlene Garrett drips from your key strokes as your poisonous point of view has you attacking her children. Shame on you, you meanie.
Katelyn called you on your poor behavior and all you can do is offer lame excuses as you back-pedal to try and find some moral high ground. Lay off of the kids america, especially Katelyn, she's above your little league parent mentality.
And, by the way, your concluding statement:
"By the way, my kids tell me that Mrs. Garrett's daughter doesn't attend the school in her district either.
Mrs. Garrett probably belongs to that school's PTSA too. I'm sure it's all legal and approved by the
administrators, but you're not going to hear about that at the BOE investigation. Did she have to sit out
of all extra-curricular activities for a year? Is there an investigation? Hmmmmm."
does, by its sarcastic tone and insinuation, imply that Mrs. Garrettt may have engaged in wrongful acts regarding her daughters school choice.
One more point if I may. The reason sports need to be treated differently that performing arts is because of MONEY and PRESTIGE. Coaches get paid more and move up the ladder to better positions because of their success rate. Success is defined by the number of wins their team has. Success in the performing arts is not about winning and losing, it is about perfecting the craft and skill of your chosen media.
1 Voice

america

April 18, 2009 - 11:27 pm EDT

1Voice, any disdain I've expressed has been directed at an elected school board official's performance in such that she sees fit to allow the issues of conversation to go along absent her voice, leadership, or support to the student-athletes of Northern HS. If questioning the effectiveness and commitment of an elected official makes me a "meanie"... sign me up for the meanie-of-the-month club. I'll be in good company. If you cannot handle irony and sarcasm within the context of a spirited debate, you need to take a breath and lighten up a little.
Miss Garrett responded from her heart, to which I applaud her. I do not agree with all of her comments, but such is her right to express her opinions. I did not back-pedal from my position, nor do I assume any moral high ground in a debate where such position is not necessary. I cannot see where morals (a term used by young Miss Garrett and you) are at issue in the conversation. The point of the debate was and is that student-athletes and coaches at Northern High School are being treated differently from all other students. Two previous investigations turned up no violations of law, policy, or rules, but now 3 individuals have lost their jobs due to a 3rd investigation over something that has yet to be proven.
As far as your point of treating sports different from performing arts (brace yourself for irony and sarcasm)... you state, "Success in the performing arts is not about winning and losing, it is about perfecting the craft and skill of your chosen media." - (sarcasm to follow) Hmmmm... Tiger Woods perfecting a golf swing... Michael Jordan and the perfected jump shot... Carlos Zambrano's perfect no-hitter... need I go on? Sports are full of individuals and teams perfecting their craft and skills. As far as "MONEY and PRESTIGE", (caution - irony and sarcasm ahead) oh yeah - you're right -only sports folks make the big bucks. It would take a lot of effort to find an actor, singer, artist, or musician that's ever made any money in their chosen media. And there's no prestige, honors, awards, fame, or popularity for these people. Perhaps we should take up a collection and send cards and letters of encouragement.
Try as you might to change the subject, your comments simply do not address the original point of this conversation. IF recruiting has been going on, then one of the first two investigations would have uncovered it. All transfers go through the administrative office, so the GCS administration was already aware of the 16,000 transfers and all of those into Northern HS (and I might add - out of NHS district). IF laws, rules, or policies were violated, then it was at the administrative level downtown. The N&R reported the comments of Mo Green that this investigation was started because of "rumors and phone calls" to the administration. It was also reported in the same article that some of these rumors and phone calls came from outside the GCS district. And finally, there are no names attached to the rumors and accusations. Does ANY of this information cause you concern?
As a parent of children in the school system that's going to have to deal with the results of what I believe is a witch hunt for a long time, I've felt compelled to express my views and opinions. Isn't that First Amendment thing wonderful? (ooh, sorry more sarcasm without the obligatory warning). I'm such a meanie. (Dang it! There I go again!)

1Voice

April 20, 2009 - 12:07 am EDT

america, I applaud your rant. And I applaud the freedom that provides that right. Of course there are some points that I disagree with, like comparing high school performing and visual arts to pro athletes (where did that come from?). I was referring to coaches making money and getting better coaching positions.
Apparently the 3,000 plus e-mails weren't part of the first two investigations. Without trying to sound too patronizing, you sound like a fairly reasonable person (although a bit too sarcastic and weighted with irony) and I would think that as a reasonable person you would demand that no stone be left unturned, and no corner of the rug be unlifted in order to discover the truth. The fact that there are more than 3,000 e-mails that were never looked at in the first two investigations leads me to suspect that they were not made readily available. I suspect that e-mail records of Mr. Yeager and Force (both resigned) were not immediately made available to the BOE and that only upon their resignation were their e-files able to be reviewed.
If there were no improprieties, why did they resign? Makes you want to go Hmmmmm.
Judging by the tenacity of your writing, and expecting you to be a reasonable person (more patronizing), I believe you would hang on to your job like a pit bull if you knew you were right and innocent of any wrong doing. Don't you expect these men would do the same? Another Hmmmmm.
When will it all stop? I don't know but I hope not until we get to the bottom of the barrel. I spoke with some NHS students yesterday and they told me that they weren't all that shook up about what's going on, that it was their parents who were the ones so bent out of shape.
I hope that when it's all said and done that you can stand at the top of the stadium steps and shout to the world that you were right. Maybe then you can relax and take life a little easier.
1 Voice

america

April 20, 2009 - 5:49 pm EDT

1V, Evidently we aren't that far apart on our perspective, although we sure do come at things from different angles (not such a bad thing). I misunderstood your post of coaches vs performing arts. I assumed you were speaking in general terms - not just high school stuff. In general, there's no difference in performing arts and sports in the real world. In the high school realm I'm sure there are discrepencies between teaching and coaching salaries, and I cannot understand why. We're sending our children to school for an academic education first and foremost. If they can get that and participate in a premium sports program (or arts program in your case) - wonderful. I just want to see a level playing field... or level performance stage (sorry, can't shake the sarcasm thingy).
I'm not so sure about your email point. Those emails are readily available to the administration and the BOE. Always have been and always will be. In fact, they are available to me and you upon request as long as there's no personnel or student-sensitive information that would have to be redacted before we got a copy. That's the law, so I find it hard to believe that they weren't reviewed. All of them? Probably not, but that's an inept investigator that doesn't check all his/her facts before calling an investigation complete (which has been one of my points all along). I know teaching professional that have been forced, pushed, prodded, and threatened to the point that they quit rather than put up with the harassment. You may recall that the two previous GCS Supts. hired outside law firms to target individual teachers and get resignations. I'm not implying that this is what's happening in this case, but you have to admit that history can repeat itself and it is possible that these individuals ran afoul of an individual that has some muscle to cause problems. I'll also admit that your theory is totally plausible. Does make me go Hmmmmm.
I think this will all stop when the BOE and administrators have cut loose those individuals they've identified for whatever reason put the people in place that they intended all along. Yep, I still believe that this is a targeted witch hunt and it's intended to move out some folks and move in some others. Remember Terry Grier brought in lots of his staff from TN. Mo has already brought some of his staff as well. At the end of this (regardless of the outcome) I'll stand at the top of the stadium steps and shout, "GO NIGHTHAWKS!"
Really - that's what it's all about - suppporting our kids and helping them do their best and achieve their dreams.

By the way, your subsequent post asks a very important question that should be answered.... Is 16,000 transfers "normal". Why in the world are 25% of the students in GCS attending classes outside their home district?

1Voice

April 20, 2009 - 11:48 pm EDT

america,
Regarding the e-mails that I mentioned, it is my understanding that they were not in the field of previous investigations and not considered until the N&R requested them under the Freedom of Information Act. And even though sensitive personel and student information would have to be protected from the prying eyes of the general public, it is that sensitive info. that I think should be the primary focus of this latest investigation.
I hope that you're mistaken in your "targeted witch hunt" theory. If it is true then our problems run far deeper than the fields of play and the concern for a level performance stage. If it's true then our children are not students, athletes or artists, they are the sacrificial pawns of the BOE and GCS administration. America, I hope you're wrong.
1 Voice

Nighthawk

April 18, 2009 - 7:40 am EDT

GCS has no magnet program for Sports, so there's a difference. If they did, I think many would call foul and unfair competition. Hmmmm. Something to think about.

DAILYREADER

April 23, 2009 - 1:46 pm EDT

Putting aside the issue with the athletic department at Northern. There needs to be some rules/regulations set and enforced on attending a school outside of your attendance zone. There is a HUGE issue with alot of kids attending Northern that is not in the school zone. I know of several personally. When the school opened, everyone wanted their kids to go there (its the new school, state of the art blah blah blah). As it turned out, the families that are financially set, they're the ones their children were allowed to go to the school outside the district. There were all sorts of people "pulling strings" to get their kids into the school. Makes one think what kind of strings were being pulled (hmmm, how much $$ is involved).

So the guidelines need to be more strict for every school, no matter how high the family's income is. There needs to be an evaluation of the students at the school. Who is in the district and who is not? Send the kids back to Northwest & Northest if they're not in the district.

There are several homes for sale inside the district. Help our economy, invest that money instead of buying your way in. If you really want your kids in Northern, buy a new house. Some will disagree that its the right thing, but if you're using your own money to buy that house ..... what's illegal about that?

1Voice

April 17, 2009 - 10:31 am EDT

I applaud the decision of the BOE to review the Guilford County School policy for student transfers. I would like to know if 16,000+ transfer requests are the norm compared to districts our size; are we in balance with other districts? Also, how many of the approved transfered students played on a sports team at the school they transfered from and at the school they transfered to?
I would also encourage the BOE to strongly suggest to the state board of education or at least to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association that rule changes and enforcement regarding student athlete transfers stretch across the state. Otherwise, I believe, Guilford County School athletic programs will suffer because of our student athletes being recruited and transfering out to other districts.
Just 1 Voice crying in the wilderness.

Jennifer Fernandez

April 23, 2009 - 3:13 pm EDT

1Voice,

I don't have any data on other districts but I can try to get that. Here's a breakdown of the transfers from 2007-08:
123 - releases to other school systems
80 - tuition students accepted
622 - non-domiciled students enrolled
114 - court custody/parental custody agreements
1,246 - homeless students enrolled
592 - child care
339 - best interest of child
65 - safety
315 - sibling
30 - documented medical reasons
468 - change of address
499 - homefield advantage (program for students whose families move a lot that allows them to stay at their original school)
116 - program availability
317 - magnet opt-outs
2,021 - high school options (IB program, for example)
194 - house under contract
17 - unusual hardship
648 - grandfather policy (redistricting)
623 - last year at a school (grades 5,8 and 10-12)
180 - appeal
10 - incorrect report card
582- staff (I believe this means the student's parent(s) work there.)
102 - orderly administration of schools
363 - choice zones (such as the situation created after the High Point Reassignment Plan was dissolved)
1,138 - NCLB (students can transfer if their school doesn't meet federal goals. Only applies to schools receiving Title I money that fail NCLB goals for several years.)
5,030 - magnet programs