By COOPER SLOUGH
Hays Post

Bob and Amanda Long have a request for Hays USD 489 — explain why their child is not allowed to go to Roosevelt Elementary School. And after numerous phone calls, emails and conversations without an explanation, the Longs sought answers at Monday night’s USD 489 Board of Education meeting.

But the couple said they left disappointed and with unanswered questions — and their child is scheduled to begin classes in August at O’Loughlin Elementary instead of Roosevelt.

According to Amanda, they were told on several occasions that upon completing required forms and attending the kindergarten round-up, their child would be guaranteed a spot at the school of their choice. The forms in question were pre-enrollment forms asking parents to rank elementary schools by desired attendance.

The round-up was held in March and, during the meeting, they said they were told they could sign up for the school of their choice. Those forms were due 10 days later, along with the choice of school. USD 489 is in the midst of several classroom changes with the closure of Washington Elementary School at the end of the 2014-15 school year.

That notice also informed parents that once a school has filled its classrooms, they would be asked to select another school.

This is where the disagreement begins. Amanda alleged she attended that meeting and turned in her forms immediately but, for some reason, was denied her choice of placement.

“I was the 14th parent in line (at kindergarten round-up), and (my daughter) was already number 78 on the list,” she said.

After that notification, Amanda began to contact board members and district administration, but instead of an explanation, she said she was told her child could ride the bus by USD 489 superintendent Dean Katt. She said board members and building principals simply did not respond to her requests.

“I contacted Dean Katt and several others on the administration list, and I still haven’t gotten an answer,” she said. “How is it that (the district) is taking forms until the 13th, but yet (they have) already decided she’s not going to the school of our choice?”

Desperate for an answer to their questions, the Longs pressured the board for an explanation at Monday’s meeting.

Initially her questions went completely unanswered, but as her time at the podium continued, Katt countered.

“You’re not the only one with this issue,” Katt said, adding the Long family’s indication that they might homeschool their child moved her off of the list.

Further, Katt indicated the fault may be with the Longs.

“I’m not so sure your paperwork was turned in anywhere,” he said.

Amanda said that was a “load of baloney.”

She told the board she had considered homeschooling only after she had been informed her child could not attend Roosevelt.

Upon further discussion, the board said they would have to investigate and would follow up with the Longs at a later date.

“I understand that things do come up,” said Bob Long, Amanda’s husband. “The biggest thing is that there’s been no communication back as to why we were told (our child) could go to the school beforehand.”

Katt declined further comment.

“(Our daughter has) expressed a lot of excitement because she gets to play on the big playground,” Bob said, “and it’s the little things she’s excited about that make this issue important to us.”

“None of the forms you fill out guarantee you a spot,” said Lance Bickle, board president, during the meeting.

“People have the right,” Amanda said, “to choose where they send their children for their education.”