After extended discussion about feeder protections, special-education placements and the district's long-term facilities strategy, the Arrowhead board voted to approve revised language to policy 51-13 (open enrollment) that administrators said would allow the district to adjust or limit open-enrollment seats in the future.

Administrators explained that, if the board chooses to ratchet down open enrollment, the revised language protects current feeder eighth-graders by guaranteeing them seats in the incoming class (the district cited 41 such students as the current count for the feeder group). Board members asked for a detailed breakdown of how many open-enrolled students are nonresidents, the financial impact of reducing open-enrollment seats and the downstream staffing and facility implications for consolidation planning.

Board members discussed special-education seats and the separate processes those placements often require; administrators noted districts typically limit special-education open-enrollment because of caseload and staffing constraints. Several board members framed a potential reduction in open enrollment as one element of a broader facilities strategy intended to reduce total enrollment for a smaller renovation or consolidation referendum in the future.

The board approved the policy language by voice vote; administrators committed to bring precise nonresident counts, fiscal impact analysis and scenarios for seat-setting to the January meeting when seats for the next school year must be established. School leaders said they would also coordinate outreach to affected feeder districts and families ahead of any final decisions.