Fox Chapel Area School District officials want to make it easier for the children of military families to attend school there.
Military families often face problems with school attendance because they can be forced to move on short notice, sometimes arriving in a new school district in mid-term. That can cause delays in enrollment while families establish residency in their municipality.
But a new policy underway at Fox Chapel aims to prevent such delays and get kids into their classrooms as soon as possible.
“The board recognizes the challenges encountered by children of military families due to the frequent moves and deployment of their parents/guardians,” policy documents read.
“The board is committed to eliminating barriers to student attendance, education and graduation; and to providing additional supports to children of military families in compliance with federal and state laws, regulations and board policy.”
Parts of the policy include:
• Allowing military children to enroll with the district before establishing residency in the Fox Chapel area.
• Providing support services to children of military families enrolled in the district.
• Ensuring such children have equal access to the same educational programs, activities and services provided to other district students.
The policy does not impact children of inactive members of the military, military reserves or retired veterans unless otherwise stated.
It is available for review on the district’s website and at the administrative office.
Board members had the first reading of the policy in March.
It is expected to be formally adopted during the April 8 meeting at the high school.
Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac said the district has long supported military families.
“This policy is required by some changes in state law and some changing in how states work together for military families,” Reljac said. “It doesn’t actually change much of what we do in practice, or have done in practice, because the district had procedures in place for people that may have been in the same situations that are explained in the policy.
“It just solidifies that for the future for those families who are in the military and children with people who are serving in the military. … Whether they are just entering our district, or if they are experiencing changes in their family based on deployment or things like that, we do our best to make sure that they are supported.”
Board Vice President Ronald Frank said it is important to make all accommodations possible to help military families and ensure their children have equal educational opportunities.
“It’s important for us,” he said. “It’s essential for us to support them. They give everything they can for us and for our country. The least we can do is make sure that their kids are taken care of.”
Follow the school board
The Fox Chapel Area School Board meets at different schools each month.
Officials said it gives board members a chance to visit schools in other neighborhoods and provides families in those neighborhoods a convenient opportunity to see their district leaders in action.
Meeting dates, times and locations are posted under the school board section of the district website at fcasd.edu.
Board meetings also are livestreamed, and videos are posted on the district’s YouTube page.
