Board Policy 5117 – Interdistrict Attendance: Santa Barbara Unified School District delineates district procedures for the appeal of all persons who are denied interdistrict transfer requests. The policy states that a student who will suffer or whose immediate family member(s) will suffer an extraordinary hardship due to a denial of their interdistrict transfer request may apply for an exemption. An “Extraordinary hardship” is defined as a documented severe and exceptional financial, educational, safety, or health impact on the student or an immediate family member of the student.

The policy also states that an exemption for extraordinary hardship will be granted only in very rare and unique situations where there is a profound negative impact upon a student or immediate family member that cannot be reasonably mitigated by other means.

Finally, the policy states that interdistrict transfers appeals will not be granted (1) because of special characteristics of a particular school, (2) due to child care considerations, (3) because of employment within the district, (4) on account of transportation issues, or (5) as a result of parental separation or divorce.

The district has received one appeal under Board Policy 5117.