O.H.S.A.A. Policy on Transfers

TRANSFERS

The transfer bylaws apply to all students enrolled in grades 9-12. These bylaws apply to all schools, both public and non-public.

If a student transfers after the first day of the student's ninth grade year or after having established eligibility prior to the start of school by playing in a contest (scrimmage, preview or regular season/tournament contest), the student will be ineligible for one year from the date of enrollment in the school to which the student transferred. A student is considered to have transferred whenever the student changes from that school in which the student was enrolled as a ninth grader to any other school regardless of whether the school from which the student transferred or to which the student transfers is public or non-public, member or non-member or whether the high schools are within the same school district.

EXCEPTION 1 - If the parents or legal guardian have made a bona-fide legal change of residence from one public school district to another public school district, the student may enroll in either the public school within the boundaries of that public school district that includes the new residence of the parents or legal guardian or any non-public school, and be immediately eligible insofar as transfer is concerned. Note: See the definition of a bona fide residence in Bylaw 4-6-1.

EXCEPTION 2 - If the student is the ward of a court-appointed guardian, and there is a subsequent change in that guardian, the student shall be eligible in the district of residence of the new guardian or at any non-public school provided the student lives with the guardian. Likewise, if the student is the child of parents who were never married or have had their marriage terminated and there is a court ordered change of custody, the student shall be eligible in the district of residence of the new custodial parent or at any non-public school provided the student lives with the new custodial parent. For purposes of this exception, the term "parent" means the biological or adoptive parents of the student or, as the case may be, the person to whom parenting rights and responsibilities have been allocated pursuant to court order. In the event a student has been temporarily or permanently removed from the home, "parent" means the person or government agency with legal or permanent custody.

When a change of residential parent or legal custodian results in a change of school district, the student is ineligible until ruled eligible by the Commissioner.

EXCEPTION 3 - If, and only if, either one of the parents in a Shared Parenting Plan, notwithstanding any provisions therein to the contrary, makes a physical change in residence that results in the student's transfer, the student shall be immediately eligible insofar as transfer is concerned.

EXCEPTION 4 - The school closes or the residence in which a student and student's parents reside is annexed to a school district, the student may be ruled eligible upon transfer to the school in the annexed district subject to modification by formal action by the Boards of Education concerned. A copy of such action by Boards of Education must be on file in the Association office before the Commissioner can rule the student eligible.

EXCEPTION 5 - Subject to the provisions of exception 6 below, a student may transfer to a different school and be eligible provided the superintendents of both districts enter into a written agreement that consents to the attendance and specifies that the purpose of such attendance is to protect the student's physical or mental well-being. Only one such exemption shall be permitted in any four school years. The student shall not be eligible until declared eligible by the Commissioner upon submission of the exemption form.

EXCEPTION 6 - A student shall be entitled to one transfer into a public high school located in the public school district within which the student's parent residence is located regardless of from where the student is transferring. However, if the student utilizes this exception, the student will no longer be able to utilize the superintendent's agreement exception set forth in Exception 5 above.

EXCEPTION 7 - A student who does not live in the same school district as parents or legal guardian and who is financially self-supporting may be ruled eligible upon approval of the Commissioner at a school in the district where the student resides. The Commissioner is empowered to establish requirements for the student to be determined to be self-supporting. These requirements shall be established for each school year by May 15th of the preceding year. Self-support documentation must be submitted for approval every 30 days. The student is ineligible until ruled eligible by the Commissioner.

EXCEPTION 8 - A student transferred to the State School for the Blind or State School for the Deaf shall be eligible upon enrollment.