WAIVERS

Dr. Chris Bigelow
Director of Student Services

Linda Kelly
Specialist
425-408-7725
425-408-7729 (Fax)

Important Information Regarding Waivers

The three-year boundary agreement that allowed students to attend their newly assigned schools or stay at their previously assigned schools without waiver paperwork will expire June 2010.  Students currently attending a school that is outside of their service area must now formally complete a waiver to continue placement at their school of choice for the 2010-2011 school year.  The waiver application can be accessed online ( download [ English | Spanish ] [Adobe Reader required]) or contact the Office of Student Services at 425-408-7725 for more information and assistance.   Athletic eligibility or placement questions should be directed to the school.

WAIVER PROCESS

Factors that may affect waiver approval include:

• Current capacity, class size, and school growth patterns
• Acceptable attendance patterns, grades, and credits at the current school 
• A student's disciplinary history

Since enrollment projections dictate staffing patterns, master schedules, and other school plans for the next year, the Office of Student Services starts the waiver process early.

Phase One:  December 1 through February 1  (closest business day to those dates)
All waivers turned in during this period are given priority review and the requested school will notify the waiver families of their decision. Kindergarten decisions may extend into the summer months.

Phase Two:  February 2 - ongoing
Waivers turned in after February 1 are processed as soon as possible. Every attempt will be made to respond with a decision prior to the start of school and the requested school will notify the waiver families of their decision.

Please note: Waivers that are submitted after September 1 will be processed within a reasonable time frame.

FORMS

In District   [Northshore school to another Northshore school]

If you live within the geographic boundaries of the Northshore School District and want your son/daughter to attend school somewhere other than their neighborhood school, you must fill out an In-District Waiver Form. You can download [ English | Spanish ] [Adobe Reader required] this form from the Web site or fill one out in person through the Office of Student Services. Each year following that initial approval, there is no paperwork that needs to be submitted. The waiver will automatically be rolled up to the next school year for as long as the student remains in the waiver pathway.  Exception:  Kindergarten waivers are only good for one year.  Parent/Guardian must re-submit a form for 1st grade.

Out-of-District   [live outside of the Northshore School District boundaries]

If you live outside the geographical boundaries of the Northshore School District and want to attend a Northshore school, you must go to your resident school district administrative office and fill out their form. That district must authorize the release of your student. Then, the form can either be mailed or hand-carried to Northshore's Office of Student Services. The Out-of-District waiver is only valid for one year and needs to be renewed annually. Please contact your resident district for that form.

Waiver to a Non-Resident District   [Northshore students waiving to another school district]

If you live within the geographic boundaries of the Northshore School District and want your son/daughter to attend a school in another school district, you can complete the variance form through the Office of Student Services.

The Office of Student Services needs to receive the original forms.  Facsimiles or faxes will not be accepted.

APPROVAL

The parent/guardian will receive notification from the school when the waiver is approved.  By signing the waiver application form the parent/guardian is agreeing to the following:

• Responsible for their own punctual transportation to and from school
• Expected to comply with all district and school policies relating to attendance/academics/behavior
• Expected to be at school only during normal school hours unless participating in a scheduled activity
• Not guaranteed a campus-parking pass
• One year commitment to attend the approved school

DENIAL

The parent/guardian will receive notification from the school when the waiver is denied.  Some of the common reasons are:

• Enrollment or program capacity at the school
• Problems with attendance and/or academics
• Behavior that poses a risk to the health and safety to others or self

The parent/guardian may have this decision reviewed by submitting a written request to the Director of Student Services within ten (10) school days after receiving the letter of denial.  The parent/guardian will receive written notification regarding the review.

RESCIND AN APPROVED WAIVER

A family may need to change their mind and have their son/daughter return to his/her former school or find an alternative placement.

The principal will evaluate the circumstances and make a decision. In most cases, it is important to move a student at the end of a semester.

If the request to rescind an approved waiver is granted, there is no guarantee that the student will receive an equivalent program in EAP or Honors at another school.

WITHDRAWAL  (pending waiver)

Under exceptional circumstances, a parent/guardian may request to withdraw a pending waiver application. In such cases, the parent/guardian would contact the Offices of Student Services at 425-408-7725.

REVOKE

The Director of Student Services may revoke a waiver as a result of persistent problems with attendance, academics, or behavior. The principal may initiate the review process with the Office of Student Services. The Director of Student Services will respond in writing stating the reason(s) for the revocation and the withdrawal date from the school. The parent/guardian can request a review of this action through the Director of Student Services within ten (10) school days of receiving the letter.

CONCLUDING INFORMATION

The parent/guardian must agree to inform the Northshore School District if:

• The student is receiving Special Education 
• The student has ever been suspended or expelled from school
• The student resides at an address other than the one listed on the waiver application

Failure to disclose this information will result in a denial of the waiver, revocation of current school assignment, and/or forfeiture of any future transfer requests.

After approval, a waiver student is entitled to the same services, rights, and privileges as any other student in the Northshore School District.

An approved waiver entitles the student to attend the requested school, but does not guarantee entrance into a specialized program (e.g. Elementary Advanced Program (EAP), Junior High Honors, Special Education, PACE, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, etc.) The appropriate staff member will make decisions regarding program placement.

SPORTS ELIGIBILITY

First time waiver students are ineligible to play varsity sports for one year at the high school level. They are eligible to play sophomore or junior varsity the first year, but must establish residency at the school for one calendar year before they are eligible for varsity sports.

last update: 1/11/10