How it works
Per agenda documents, prior LISD policy language restricted interdistrict transfers to nonresident students with some exceptions, such as children of nonresident district employees.
The updated policy will now allow for nonresident interdistrict transfers, but district documents state transfer decisions will continue to take building capacity, grade-level enrollment and program needs into consideration.
Students are also required to be in “good standing,” and an appeals committee and centralized denial process will remain in place.
General counsel Shawn Swisher said the policy will ensure current LISD students have transfer opportunities first before it is opened up to outside students.
"While of course we do want to have the opportunity to be able to access additional revenue streams, ... we don't want to do that at the expense of a student who is actually a resident here," Swisher said.
More details
The number of transfer requests at the start of the 2025-26 school year was slightly down from last year, which had 1,058 requests, with 942 approved and 116 denied.
How we got here
For months, LISD officials have considered three cost-saving pathways as the district projects a $22.8 million shortfall next year, up from this year's shortfall of $20.2 million.
One pathway would yield $4.1 million in savings by closing and repurposing Cypress, Faubion and Steiner Ranch Elementary schools, which face declining enrollment and are projected to be under 60% functional capacity in the coming years.
However, alternative revenue-generating streams, including open enrollment, were discussed during the Sept. 9 board workshop, although district leaders such as Superintendent Bruce Gearing have said open enrollment is not a “silver bullet” to close LISD’s budget or enrollment gaps.
Looking ahead
Out-of-district families looking to enroll in LISD under the new policy can provide information on what schools they are interested in here ahead of the formal application process.
The transfer request window will open in January for the 2026-27 school year.
