denied reassignment and mckay

[Guest guest]

I'm hoping someone could give me some guidance on this situation. This is long so I hope you read to the end.My son enters high school in the fall and our home school is McArthur High School. I went and toured McArthur, as well as two others, City and Flanagan.When I went to see McArthur I was a little disheartened. Although I had set an appointment, the ESE specialist was out that day.

No one else knew that I had an appointment. In a way, this was good because

the teachers were not aware that I was coming by for observation. They have 2 SVE classes. One was okay, but the other was a classroom IN the cafeteria. I can't imagine how disruptive that would be during lunch hour. It was most definitely secluded from the rest of the school. If also seemed to be the lower-functioning (I had that word!) level of the two SVE classes. The staff in that class room left much to be desired; I won't get into details. I did get to speak to someone in the office, who was from the district, that was there helping out but she couldn't give me much information. I then went to see City. I liked their program. The ESE specialist DID indicate that they might be at capacity for the fall. But I filed for the McKay and reassignment anyway.I then went to see Flanagan. I loved their teachers. The ESE specialist did NOT indicate that they were at capacity. I could not

apply for McKay or reassignment for that school because I was told you are only allowed to apply for one per year.Up until today, I had not heard anything regarding the status of the reassignment or the McKay. I kept calling about my son's status and they kept telling me that letters were still going out. However, I had received a reassignment notification for my daughter who was going to middle school in mid May.Well today I asked them to check the status because I had not received anything as of yet and I thought it was kind of strange. They tell me reassignment has been granted for HOLLYWOOOD HILLS HIGH SCHOOL. I said "WHAT????" I told them I applied online for CIty. The girl insisted that their records showed that I applied for Hollywood Hills. The girl said I had an online application and a hard copy application stating so. I told her no, that I had applied only once online and that I had in my hand my

confirmation that I was looking at and it said City. She said there were some notes on the record and she transferred me to someone else. That person explained that City was at 95% capacity and that the ESE

Department (Sharon Sorg was the name they gave me) reassigned him to Hollywood Hills. I told her I was never notified of this and that the reason why I was calling was because I have not received anything regarding my son's status but had already received my daughter's. She also said that a letter went out on May 18. I told her again that I had not received it. She said that I could put his name on the lottery for City and wait until next week to see if he is selected. Other than that, there was nothing she could do. She suggested I contact Sharon Sorg.I also called the McKay and they told me that he wsa also denied City because they were at capacity. (But, yet they have a lottery????) Apparently, if you are denied reassignment, you are also denied McKay. I asked if I could apply for Flanagan and they also said you are only allowed one choice per year. I called Sharon Sorg but she was not there so I left a message.

This whole business about being at capacity is BS. I have had to reassign my children

several times as they went to elementary to middle to high. It's the same letter year after year. It's an automatic "denied". But once I appeal to the hardship committee, my requests have been granted. The principle of the middle school where my daughter was just reassigned, told me before I even got my first denial letter for her that they were NOT at capacity. Yet, I had to appeal and go to the hardship committee. Why all these reassignments you ask? Because I have three children and as each one enters a new school, they school board tries to separate them. We have been through this in elementary, middle and now high. Last year I had one at Pasadena Elem, one at W.C. Young and one at Pines. This year my son goes to high school, my middle child goes to Pines and they want to send my youngest to New Renaissance. So I finally got the youngest into Pines with my other daughter. My questions are:1. Can they just reassign your

child to any school

available?2. Does McKay only allow one choice per year if you are denied?3. Does anyone have any suggestions/advice?Thank you in advance...RM