Region 12 board approves second reading of Policy 511 to align kindergarten cutoff with state statute

Under old business on May 18, the Regional School District 12 board voted to approve a second reading of Policy 511 (Admission/Placement) to bring district policy into compliance with a state statute requiring children to be five years old on or before Sept. 1 to begin kindergarten.

Justin Angley introduced the policy change and explained that prior local practice had allowed case‑by‑case waiver reviews; the revised policy removes waiver language and enforces the statutory cutoff going forward. "This just takes away the language that would allow waivers and just says you must be five on or before September 1st in order to enroll in kindergarten for that year," the presenter said.

A motion to approve the second reading was moved and seconded; the board conducted a voice vote. The motion passed; the transcript does not record a roll‑call tally. No additional amendments were offered during the meeting.

The district will now implement Policy 511 as amended to align with state law; board discussion indicated that families already affected by prior waivers were not blindsided because the district handled exceptions in previous cycles and the change applies going forward.