• Petition to reverse Intra-District Permits that were denied due to “Balancing Enrollment” for Burbank Middle Schools: Protect Family Choice and Equal Student Opportunity

We, the undersigned parents, students, and community members, respectfully urge the Burbank Unified School District (BUSD) to reinstate the longstanding practice of honoring intra-district permit requests for middle school students.

For years, BUSD families have had the ability to apply for an intra-district permit to attend the middle school that best fits their child’s academic, social, and emotional needs. This flexibility has allowed families to maintain vital peer and community connections, access programs that align with their child’s interests, and attend schools that are often geographically closer to home—even if they fall outside arbitrary zoning lines.

This year, however, BUSD has unexpectedly denied all intra-district transfer requests, citing a need to “balance enrollment” in order to preserve programs at under-enrolled schools. While we recognize the challenges of declining enrollment district-wide, we believe this blanket denial is short-sighted and inequitable.

Here’s why we’re asking BUSD to reconsider:

• The policy is hurting student opportunity. At Luther, the choir teacher was prepared and willing to accommodate all interested 6th grade students. Instead, due to reassignment, many students have been sent to schools where they were just told there is not enough room in choir. This contradicts the district’s stated goal of maintaining “vital programs such as art and music.”

• Only a handful of students are bearing the burden of this change. The district’s attempt to “balance enrollment” is disproportionately affecting families from split elementary schools, placing the pressure of systemic budget issues on a small group of children.

• School communities and geography matter. In many cases, denied permits would have placed students at schools closer to their homes, where they could safely walk or bike. Many families already have deep ties to the schools they requested, including siblings who have previously attended. Forcing students away from those familiar communities breaks the social and support networks that are vital for children and working parents alike.

We are asking BUSD to return to the practice of reviewing intra-district permits on a case-by-case basis, as has been done in years past. Let families make the best choice for their child’s education and well-being. Balanced enrollment should not come at the expense of student voice, parent trust, or access to the programs that inspire and engage our children.

Let’s protect student opportunity, support our communities, and keep school choice in Burbank.

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