Years ago the state Legislature approved the open enrollment options act, an idea that stated a student could transfer to another district if they felt they would be able to obtain a higher level of education.
What initially seemed like a good idea soon turned into students transferring to other schools in hopes of participating on a state championship team or improving their visibility to college scouting services.
The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) has changed and revised the transfer rule quite a few times in hopes of reaching a plan that is fair to both students and schools.
Due to numerous changes, parents often get inaccurate advice from others who "heard" that if you do this or that your son/daughter will be eligible immediately. I would like to shed some light on what is and is not part of the transfer rule.
Realities of the rule. The transfer rule states, "A transfer student is eligible for varsity competition provided the student was in good standing on the date of withdrawal from the last school the student attended and one of the following provisions is met.
1) The student is enrolling in ninth grade for the first time.
2) The student's family physically changes residence from one district to another.
3) The student is ordered by a court to change districts for child protection.
4) If the student's parents are divorced and have joint custody, the student may move from one parent to the other one time in grades nine-12.
5) The student is moving from another state.
6) Open enrollment option: If a student open enrolls without a corresponding change of residence, they have two options. 1) Maintain their eligibility at the school they were previously enrolled at for one calendar year, at which time they would be eligible at their new school. 2) Be eligible at the non-varsity level at their new school for one calendar year, at which time they would become eligible.
If none of the above provisions are met, the student is not eligible for varsity competition for one calendar year."
Here are some of the more common myths regarding the transfer rule and eligibility.
If my school doesn't offer a certain sport, I can be eligible to play at a neighboring school that does offer that sport while still attending my school.
If I transfer to another school, I can come back to my original school at any time without penalty.
I am eligible to compete in the school district where I reside any time I choose to even if I am not enrolled in that school.
The MSHSL has also implemented an appeal process for families who feel they have a unique situation or feel the school or league has ruled inaccurately against them. If you are interested in more information on the transfer rule, visit the league Web site at mshsl.org or visit with your local activities director.
(Marc Helmrichs is Pequot Lakes School activities director.)
