Eanes ISD Is Rethinking Transfer Students. Here's What Families Should Know

At its October 20 meeting, the Eanes ISD Board of Trustees talked about the district's policy on out-of-district transfer students and went over several options that could change who can attend Eanes schools without living in the district. No decision has been made. Still, if your child is an Eanes transfer student, or you've been hoping to become one, now is a good time to start planning.

Where things stand today

About 600 of the district's roughly 7,400 students live outside Eanes ISD and attend on approved transfers, according to local reporting. Right now families pay a $250 application fee, there's no annual tuition, and transfers are approved one year at a time based on campus space, attendance and discipline.

The options on the table

According to coverage of the meeting, trustees reviewed several possibilities:

• An enrollment cap: transfer students would be limited to about 7% of enrollment at each campus.
• Annual tuition: transfer families would pay about $20,000 a year. Children of district employees would be exempt, and hardship waivers might be available.
• A phase-out: most out-of-district transfers would end.
• Grandfathering: current high school transfer students could stay through graduation.

The board hasn't said when it will vote or when any change would take effect. Watch for agenda items at upcoming board meetings.

Why this is coming up now

Eanes is a "recapture" district. Under Texas school finance law, it sends a large share of its local property tax revenue back to the state, close to $95 million in a recent year. That puts steady pressure on the budget, and the transfer program is one of the policies being looked at again.

What this could mean for your family

If the board adopts tuition or a phase-out, some families will need to decide between paying to stay, transferring elsewhere, or moving into the district so their kids can keep attending as residents. Families with students in middle school or early high school, who aren't covered by the high school grandfathering option, are the most likely to be affected.

If you're thinking about moving into Eanes ISD

The district covers West Lake Hills, Rollingwood, much of Westlake and parts of Austin and Travis County. If you're thinking about a move, here are a few tips:

• Confirm the address is zoned to Eanes ISD. Zip codes and "Westlake" addresses don't always line up with district lines. Check the specific property with the district before you commit.
• Look at timing. A move that's done before the next enrollment window is much less stressful than a rushed one.
• Remember that renting counts. You can establish residency by leasing, which can be a bridge while you look for the right home to buy.
• Start early. Inventory in the district is limited. If several transfer families start looking at once, competition for homes could pick up.

Questions? Let's talk.

I live and work in Westlake and help families buy, sell and lease homes throughout Eanes ISD. If this policy change could affect your family, I'm happy to walk you through your options, with no pressure and no obligation.

Chris Harwood, Harwood Realty Group -- 512-740-5402 | chris@harwoodrealtygroup.com

This post summarizes options the board discussed. No policy changes have been adopted. For official information, visit the Eanes ISD transfer page or attend an upcoming board meeting.