My son will be going to kindergarten in two years, and effective next year, our school district is going to be splitting into two different elementary and intermediate schools which will come together for high school. Because of where we live, my son will have to go the school which is 20 minutes from home. The other school is 10-15 minutes in the opposite direction with a hospital and his pediatrician five minutes away, which is much closer for us. Otherwise, it will be a 40-45 minute car ride to the closest hospital should he need medical attention. Is there any way I can advocate for him to go the school closest to the hospital, pediatrician and my home? I am willing to do transportation myself if necessary.

You can try talking to the administration, but I do not know that they will be able to facilitate your ability to choose where your son goes to school. I think your best bet is to talk with the school officials to make sure they can accommodate his needs.

LSF
Additional comments from David S. Holtzman, Esq.:

I agree that the first effort should be in meeting with the district administration. These types of inter-district accommodations are not uncommon. However, I would wait until the year prior to enrollment. When the appropriate time comes, contact the superintendent’s office and ask to meet with the administrator responsible for school assignment.

Another strategy would be to request that your child be evaluated for a handicapping or disabling condition, and as part of his “504 Plan”, note that the proximity to health resources be considered in the making of the school assignment.

DSH

[Editor’s comment: See The Law, Schools, and Your Child with Diabetes.

SS]