NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A Norfolk mother who applies for an out-of-district school transfer for her kids to go to Lake Taylor High School every year reached out to 10 On Your Side after they got denied this year and her kids were asked to leave the school on Thursday.
Teodora Taisipic says just like any other year, she applied for her four children to transfer from Booker T. Washington High School to Lake Taylor. She says at first the application was approved, but days later it was denied.
However, Taispic says her children had a schedule and an assigned teacher at Lake Taylor, so she sent them to their first day of school on Tuesday.
Two days later, Taisipic got a call from her kids during the school day and she was told they had to leave. She called 10 On Your Side in tears, hoping something could be done.
“My son is not going to be able to graduate with his class,” said Taisipic. “I want my kids to go into school; they’ve only known Lake Taylor.”
10 On Your Side reached out to the school district spokeswoman, who sent the following statement:
The parent was inadvertently granted an out-of-district transfer by the Office of Student Support Services for the 2018-19 school year based on having been approved last year, however due to attendance issues last year, the transfer request was to have been revoked. When a special consideration like an out-of-district is granted, it’s imperative that the parties involved ensure adherence to school policy. Administrators have spoken to the parents and have a plan in place to address the attendance issues. All four students will be allowed to return to Lake Taylor High with the understanding that attendance will be monitored closely and that the out-of-district transfer will be reviewed again by the Office of School Leadership at the end of November. The family is in full support of this solution. The students in question were back at Lake Taylor this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Taisipic reached out to the executive director of secondary schools and programs. After the meeting, the children were allowed back to Lake Taylor — with the understanding that attendance will be monitored closely.
Taisipic says she’s grateful to the principal at Lake Taylor High school and all of those involved.