Superintendent: 147 students seeking to come in, 99 seeking to leave; board approves open-enrollment list

The Mount Horeb Area School District board discussed open-enrollment applications and the process for denials, particularly when a student’s needs would require additional special-education staffing beyond current caseload capacity. Superintendent Dr. Sarno explained the board sets available spots in January, the district notifies families of approvals or denials, and responses are needed by a designated time so spaces can be offered to the next family on the list.

"We have 147 students, seeking to come in to our school district. 99 seeking to go out," Dr. Sarno said while explaining the district’s open-enrollment counts and why some applications were denied due to the exceptionality and required services of certain students. (Dr. Sarno)

Board members asked follow-up questions about information gathered on reasons families request transfers; Dr. Sarno said common reasons include work location, extracurricular offerings and advanced academic options, and that the district’s special education program is a key factor in families’ decisions. After discussion, the board moved and approved the listed open-enrollment applications for 2024–25 by voice vote.

The superintendent said the district will continue to consider applications that arrive or change status over the summer and will notify families of openings as they become available.