BEST INTEREST DETERMINATION

          Student Services Department

      ALLEGANY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

                     Cumberland, MD 21502

School Choice Decision

During the best interest meeting school staff discussed which school (school of origin or attendance area school) would be best for your child to attend.  Based on that discussion, it was decided that it would be best for your child to attend______________________________ School.  

The reason(s) for this decision include: _________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS

Appeal Rights

If you disagree with this decision, you can appeal. Your child will be enrolled right away in your choice of the school of origin or the attendance area school ____________________________ (school name). Your child will be given transportation to and from this school if you desire.  If you file an appeal by _________, (5) days from the date of this letter, your child can continue to attend this school, with transportation, until the appeal is resolved. If you do not file your appeal by the deadline, your child will be withdrawn from this school and enrolled in the school recommended through the best interest meeting.

How to Appeal

To appeal, explain in a letter addressed to the principal why you think it would be better for your child to attend the school you prefer. If you have questions about this process, call the McKinney Vento Liaison at (301) 724-2402 Ext. 4023.. Make a copy of the letter to keep and give the original to the school’s pupil personnel worker..

How Long Will The Appeal Take

The principal will make a decision within five (5) school days. You will be given the decision in writing. If you disagree with the principal’s decision, you may appeal to the Superintendent/designee. To appeal to the Superintendent, send a copy of your letter and a copy of the principal’s decision to Student Services Attn. Debbie Metheny, 108 Washington St. Cumberland MD 21502 explaining why you disagree. You must do this within five (5) calendar days of the date of the principal’s decision. The Superintendent/designee will make a decision within ten (10) school days. You will be given the decision in writing. If you disagree with the decision of the Superintendent/designee, you may appeal again to the Allegany County Board of Education. Send your appeal to Allegany Board of Education, 108 Washington St. Cumberland MD 21502. You must do this within thirty (30) calendar days of the date on the letter from the Superintendent/designee. The local board will make a decision within forty-five (45) days. If you disagree with the decision of the Allegany County Board, you can appeal again to the Maryland State Board of Education at 200 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. The Maryland State Board of Education must receive your appeal within thirty (30) days of the decision by the Allegany County Board of Education. During the appeal process, your child may continue to attend the school you have chosen and the school will provide transportation if needed.