LVUSD Helps Out-of-District Parents

Parents of out-of-district students wishing to remain in Las Virgenes Unified schools got some help in their fight Wednesday at an appeals-writing workshop put on by the LVUSD.

Nine parents turned out for the workshop, more than in previous years because the Los Angeles Unified School District is considering restricting the number of its students that it releases to other districts.

The LAUSD accepts about 20 percent of those parents who apply to leave the district for LVUSD, said Renee Scholes, permit coordinator for the LVUSD and the workshop's leader.

Scholes said this year the LVUSD has received 1,600 out-of-district permit requests, up from 1,400 last year.

Scholes led the parents through the steps needed to file an appeal with the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), which makes the permit decisions for the LAUSD.

Scholes highlighted these points for the workshop participants:

• In the LAUSD, appeals must be made within seven calendar days from the date of denial.
• Use regular mail or delivery for the appeal application, no faxes or e-mail.
• Materials required include: "Application to Appeal Form," supporting documentation depending on the reason for transfer and a cover letter. These are available on www.lausd.net.
• The LAUSD appeals committee will notify parents of its decision within 14 calendar days.
• Parents whose appeal is denied have 30 days to file a second appeal in writing to the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE).

The parents were urged to avoid sending the form in late. They were also told to watch carefully for any e-mails from the LAUSD.

The tips may sound basic, but Scholes said she has seen her share of sloppy appeal applications, including ones that listed fake employment references and part-time jobs paying $1 a month.

"If you're not going to be honest, don't tell me," Scholes said. "Make sure it's about the student."

Scholes stressed the importance of a good attitude when approaching the appeal process.

"Please and thank you go a long way," she said. "If you act entitled, if someone threatens to sue a district, it makes them say, 'if they sue me, they sue me.' "

The humor helped lift the mood at the workshop. Many of the participants said they felt overwhelmed by the complexity of paperwork involved in an LAUSD appeal.

Max and Monica Aguilera fall into that category. They're appealing a denial for a requested transfer of their third- and eighth-grade children to the LVUSD.

The couple plans to move to Calabasas from Simi Valley this year, but not in time for the start of school. The process has been confusing to the Aguileras, who want their kids to go to school with the friends they have come to know in Calabasas.

"If it wasn't for Renee, we would be lost," said Max Aguilera.

Three future meetings are scheduled: May 5 at 9 a.m., May 10 at 2:30 p.m. and May 19 at 2 p.m. at 4111 N. Las Virgenes Road. For more information, call the Las Virgenes Unified School District at 818-880-4000.