A resolution requesting the Metropolitan Board of Public Education to send magnet school selection/acceptance letters used to fill vacancies by certified mail.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Board of Public Education ("the Board") provides a lottery system for acceptance to magnet schools; and

WHEREAS, students that are not accepted by the lottery are put on a waiting list to fill slots in the school as vacancies occur; and

WHEREAS, the Board's policy for filling magnet school vacancies involves the mailing of a selection/acceptance letter to the parent, which must be retuned by the deadline date stated on the letter; and

WHEREAS, under the Board's policy, failure to return an acceptance letter by the stated deadline precludes the student from accepting after deadline, regardless of whether the student had actual notice of the vacancy; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Board revise its policy and send magnet school vacancy selection letters by certified mail to ensure that the student next in line on the waiting list is offered an opportunity to accept.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Metropolitan Board of Public Education to send magnet school selection/acceptance letters used to fill vacancies by certified mail.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Dr. Pedro Garcia, the Director of Schools, and to each member of the Metropolitan Board of Public Education.

Section 3. That the Metropolitan Board of Public Education is further requested to respond to the Council as to the feasibility of and/or action taken in compliance with the request stated in Section 1 hereof not later than ninety (90) days from the date of adoption of this Resolution.

Section 4. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Vivian Wilhoite