OHIO

Districts Delay Response

We completed the first half of the school year and the notification procedures without any families encountering serious legal conflicts. However, there were numerous difficulties resulting from misapplication of the home school law, or lack of familiarity with it on the part of some school officials. As late as Thanksgiving some families were still waiting for a response from the superintendent on their notification.

It may be the lack of manpower or organization, but many school districts do not respond to notifications with a letter of excuse within the time frame outlined in the home school regulations. Home School Legal Defense Association encourages its members to remember that when corresponding with school officials it is always wise to mail notifications via certified mail, return receipt requested. Therefore, if your school district is delinquent in responding, we will have tangible proof that your correspondence was received. Please note: it is perfectly acceptable to send correspondence to a Post Office box via certified mail requesting a return receipt. The item will be signed for when it is picked up at the Post Office.

One question that frequently comes up during the school year is what to do when families relocate within the state mid-year? The home school regulations specifically address this situation and home school families are not required to complete new paperwork in the new school district. Section 3301-34-03(F) of the regulations indicates as follows:

Upon transfer from a district in which the child has been excused from compulsory attendance for the purpose of home education, the last district of residence shall, upon the request of the parent(s), forward to the new district of residence a copy of the information supplied and related documents.

A home school family who moves in mid-year need only send a letter to their previous superintendent requesting that their home school records be transferred to the new superintendent. We usually recommend that you send the new superintendent a copy of the letter requesting the transfer.