Policy 3214: Students Experiencing Housing Instability (Enrollment Rights, Services, and Dispute Resolution) Policy Statement It is the policy of Wa He Lut Indian School and Wa He Lut Tribal Agency that every student receives the high-quality instruction, support, and interventions needed to prepare for the future. Students and families experiencing housing instability may face added barriers; the District is committed to partnering with them to the extent practical and as required by law to ensure equal access to the same free, appropriate public education (including public preschool education) provided to other students. Special attention will be given to ensuring the identification, enrollment, and attendance of students not currently attending school, as well as mitigating educational barriers to academic success. The District will take responsible steps to ensure students experiencing housing instability are not stigmatized or segregated in a separate school or in a separate program within a school on the basis of their living situation. Students experiencing housing instability will be provided District services for which they are eligible, including state programs, special education, and school nutrition programs. [Policy 321...s Students | PDF], [ospi.k12.wa.us] Definition For purposes of this policy, students experiencing housing instability are those who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes students who are: – Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing or economic hardship – Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations – Living in emergency or transitional shelters – Abandoned in hospitals – Living in a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings – Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, transportation stations, or similar settings – Migratory students living in any of the situations described above – Unaccompanied youth who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian and are living in any of the situations described above [Policy 321...s Students | PDF], [ospi.k12.wa.us] District McKinney‑Vento Liaison (Local Educational Agency Liaison) The Superintendent designates a District McKinney‑Vento Liaison to support students and families experiencing housing instability and to determine eligibility for rights and services under the McKinney‑Vento Act using the definition of “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” [Policy 321...s Students | PDF], [ospi.k12.wa.us] District McKinney‑Vento Liaison Contact Information Tera Ronish tera.ronish@whlis.org (360) 456‑1311 x101 Building Point of Contact The District McKinney‑Vento Liaison ensures each school site designates at least one Building Point of Contact. The Building Point of Contact coordinates building-level identification and connects students and families to the District McKinney‑Vento Liaison for eligibility determination and access to educational support services. The District McKinney‑Vento Liaison is responsible for training Building Points of Contact. [Policy 321...s Students | PDF], [ospi.k12.wa.us] Enrollment and Best Interest Determination (School Selection) Changing schools may greatly hinder academic achievement and social-emotional development. In making a determination as to which school is in the student’s best interest to attend, the District will presume it is in the student’s best interest to remain enrolled in the school of origin unless such enrollment is against the wishes of the parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth, or a student-centered transportation factor is identified. Students may continue in the school of origin while housing instability continues or until the end of the academic year in which permanent housing is obtained. Parents/guardians may request enrollment in the local attendance area school where the student is currently residing or an option school. Attendance options will be made available on the same terms as families residing in the District, including attendance rights acquired by living in attendance areas, other student assignment policies, and intra- and inter-district choice options. [Policy 321...s Students | PDF], [ospi.k12.wa.us] Immediate Enrollment Enrollment may not be denied or delayed due to missed application deadlines, fees or fines, absences at a previous school, or lack of documents normally required for enrollment, including academic records, medical records, proof of residency, mailing address, emergency contact information, or other documentation. Records from the student’s previous school shall be requested pursuant to District policies. If the student does not have immediate access to immunization records, the student shall be admitted under an appropriate exemption, and families should be encouraged to obtain current immunization records or immunizations as soon as possible; the District McKinney‑Vento Liaison is directed to assist. The District will comply with all requirements of the State’s Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) where applicable. [Policy 321...s Students | PDF], [ospi.k12.wa.us] Dispute Resolution (Eligibility, School Selection, and Enrollment) The District will follow the OSPI dispute resolution process required under the McKinney‑Vento Act for disputes related to eligibility, school selection, or enrollment. Disputes should be initiated at the request of the parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth and not at the request or convenience of the school district. The dispute resolution process shall not be used to circumvent or supersede any part of the federal McKinney‑Vento Act. [ospi.k12.wa.us] Eligibility and Enrollment During a Dispute If a dispute arises over school selection, enrollment in a school, or whether the student meets the definition of lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, the child or youth shall be immediately admitted to the school in which enrollment is sought, pending resolution of the dispute. In the case of an unaccompanied youth, the District McKinney‑Vento Liaison shall ensure that the youth is immediately enrolled in the school in which enrollment is sought, pending resolution of the dispute. [ospi.k12.wa.us] Written Explanation The District must provide a written explanation of its decision to the parent/guardian or, in the case of an unaccompanied youth, to the unaccompanied youth. The written explanation must include a description of the parent/guardian’s or unaccompanied youth’s right to appeal the decision. [ospi.k12.wa.us] Initiation of the Dispute Resolution Process (Required Notices and Materials) If the District seeks to place a student in a school other than the school of origin or the school requested by the parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth, or the District determines that the student does not meet the definition of lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, the District McKinney‑Vento Liaison shall inform the parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth, in a language and format understandable to the parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth, of their right to appeal the decision. The District must also provide: – Written contact information for the District McKinney‑Vento Liaison and the state coordinator, with a brief description of their roles – A simple, written detachable form to initiate the dispute process (the school should copy the form and return the copy to the parent/guardian or youth for their records when it is submitted) – A written step-by-step description of how to dispute the District’s decision – Written notice of the right to enroll immediately in the school where enrollment is sought pending resolution of the dispute – Written notice of the right to appeal to the state if the district-level resolution is not satisfactory – Written timelines for resolving district- and state-level appeals [ospi.k12.wa.us] Level I Appeal: District McKinney‑Vento Liaison Communication If a parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth wishes to appeal a District decision related to eligibility, school selection, or enrollment: – The parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth must file a request for dispute resolution with the District McKinney‑Vento Liaison by submitting the dispute form – The request must be submitted within fifteen (15) business days of receiving written notification that the District does not identify the student as eligible under the definition or intends to enroll the student in a school other than requested – The request may be submitted directly to the District McKinney‑Vento Liaison or to the school where the dispute is taking place; if submitted to the school, the school shall immediately forward the request to the District McKinney‑Vento Liaison – If the District McKinney‑Vento Liaison is unavailable, the District must appoint a designee to receive the request – The District McKinney‑Vento Liaison must log receipt (date/time), include a written description of the situation and reason for the dispute, and forward a copy to the liaison’s immediate supervisor and the superintendent – Within five (5) business days of receipt, the District McKinney‑Vento Liaison must make a decision and inform the parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth in writing of the result [ospi.k12.wa.us] Level I Appeals Package After a Level I decision, the District McKinney‑Vento Liaison shall provide an appeals package containing: – A copy of the complaint filed to initiate Level I – The Level I decision – Any additional information from the parent/guardian, unaccompanied youth, and/or District McKinney‑Vento Liaison – The District is responsible to verify the parent/guardian’s or unaccompanied youth’s receipt of the written notification of the Level I decision [ospi.k12.wa.us] Level II Appeal: Superintendent (or Designee) Communication If the dispute remains unresolved after Level I: – The parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth shall notify the District McKinney‑Vento Liaison of intent to proceed to Level II within ten (10) business days of receipt of the Level I decision – The appeal is made to the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee (the designee shall be someone other than the District McKinney‑Vento Liaison) using the appeals package – The superintendent/designee will arrange a personal conference within five (5) business days of notification of intent to proceed to Level II – The conference may be held by video or phone if needed, provided the same opportunity for appeal is given and the same rights are provided – The superintendent/designee will provide a written decision with supporting evidence and reasons within five (5) business days of the personal conference – The District is responsible to verify receipt of the Level II decision; a copy of the appeals package and Level II decision is shared with the District McKinney‑Vento Liaison [ospi.k12.wa.us] Level III Appeal: OSPI Communication If the dispute remains unresolved after Level II: – The parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth shall notify the District McKinney‑Vento Liaison of intent to proceed to Level III within ten (10) business days of receipt of the Level II decision – The superintendent shall forward all written documentation and related paperwork to OSPI for review within five (5) business days of the request to appeal Level II – OSPI issues a final decision within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of the hard copy complaint – The Level III decision is the final administrative resolution concerning eligibility or placement [ospi.k12.wa.us] Recordkeeping The office of the superintendent shall maintain a record of all disputes related to eligibility, school selection, or enrollment. These records shall include disputes resolved at Level I, Level II, and/or Level III and shall be made available to OSPI upon request. [ospi.k12.wa.us] Transportation To mitigate educational disruption caused by mobility, the District will provide eligible students transportation to continue attending the school of origin or the school where they are enrolled. To determine the best interest of the student regarding transportation, the District McKinney‑Vento Liaison will consider student-centered factors including: – Developmental appropriateness or age – Distance of the commute and impact on education – Personal safety issues – Need for specially designed instruction (e.g., special education and related services) – Length of anticipated stay in a temporary location – Time remaining in the school year [Policy 321...s Students | PDF], [ospi.k12.wa.us] If the school of origin is in a different district, or a student resides in another district but will attend Wa He Lut Indian School as the school of origin, the District will collaborate with transportation partners to coordinate transportation services necessary for the student to get to and from school, including before- or after-school activities. [Policy 321...s Students | PDF], [ospi.k12.wa.us] Coordination and Notice of Rights and Services The District McKinney‑Vento Liaison shall coordinate with local social service agencies that provide services to students and families experiencing housing instability; other school districts on transportation and records transfers; and state and local housing agencies where appropriate. This coordination includes providing public notice of educational rights where families and youth may receive services, in a manner and form understandable to parents/guardians and unaccompanied youth, to the extent feasible. The District McKinney‑Vento Liaison will also review and recommend amendments to District policies that may act as barriers to enrollment and will participate in professional development and technical assistance as determined by OSPI. [Policy 321...s Students | PDF], [ospi.k12.wa.us] Staff Training and Implementation The District shall ensure that school personnel providing services under this policy receive professional development and support. Each year, the District shall provide students and families information about services and support using a variety of communications. The Superintendent or designee is granted the authority to develop procedures in order to implement this policy. [Policy 321...s Students | PDF], [ospi.k12.wa.us] Adopted: February 21, 2019 Revised: May 4, 2026 [Policy 321...s Students | PDF] Legal References – RCW 28A.225.215 Enrollment of children without legal residences – RCW 28A.320.145 Support for students experiencing housing instability – 42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq. (McKinney‑Vento) [Policy 321...s Students | PDF] [Policy 321...s Students | PDF], [ospi.k12.wa.us]