The Putnam County School Board has adopted a few changes to the early registration process for the 2026-2027 school year as the period opens next week.
Attendance Supervisor Chris Pierce said the intent-to-return form will only need to be completed if a student is requesting to change schools or if parents need to update contact information.
“If that form is not filled out, we are simply going to assume that student is coming back to the current school that they were at before or moving to their assigned zoned middle or high school if they are in fourth grade or in eighth grade moving up,” Pierce said.
Pierce said the school system previously required every parent to complete the form. School Board Member Kim Cravens said parents should remember that school zones determine which middle school a student will attend.
“Somebody does not need to assume that I am going to Avery Trace because all of my buddies are going to Avery Trace when they actually live in the Prescott zone or something,” Cravens said. “So hopefully people do not get too confused about that.”
Pierce also discussed priority students under the school system’s zoning policy. He said the priority list is similar to last year, with two adjustments.
“For Prescott Elementary, this year we’re asking that they be able to accept siblings, out-of-zone siblings, for students enrolled in Prescott Elementary,” Pierce said. “And then Ms. Robbins, I talked to her, and we are wanting to expand Sycamore’s options to one, two, three in a possible kindergarten, depending upon enrollment.”
Director of Schools Corby King explained that priority one includes returning students or children of full-time school system employees. Priority two includes students who live within the school’s zone. Priority three applies to students who have moved out of the zone but have a sibling attending the school, though they must still live in Putnam County. King said a kindergarten lottery would take place at the end of the process if needed.
“Let’s just say at the end of the process, and we have evaluated that there are 20 spots available and 30 kids out of the school zone want to enroll, there will be a lottery to fill in order of a drawing those 20 spots, and the other 10 would then be sent to their zoned school,” King said. “Same process we have used for years.”
Pierce said there will also be a priority four transfer window. He said the process will be posted on the school system’s website once early registration closes in April.
Pierce said current enrollment shows 11,348 students in the system, which is down 345 students compared to the same time last year. He added that the only two schools currently at 90 percent capacity are Capshaw Elementary School and Jere Whitson Elementary School.
The early registration application period will open Tuesday and close April 17 at 3 pm.