Eagle6Man
03-02-2006, 01:14 PM
Children of Dyess commanders, prison wardens don't have to pay fee
By Sidney Levesque / levesques@reporternews.com
March 2, 2006
The children of Dyess Air Force Base commanders and the French Robertson Unit wardens can transfer into Wylie schools, even if they don't live in the district.
Wylie's policy raised some eyebrows when it was mentioned at a recent meeting of the Boundary Committee, which is redrawing school zones in the Abilene Independent School District.
Dyess is in the 16,680-student AISD, which is struggling with declining enrollment. The prison is in the Clyde school district.
In the past, Wylie officials have said they do not accept transfers. However, exceptions are made for employees' children and high school seniors whose parents move out of the district.
The Wylie school board approved the transfer policy change in 2003 at the request of Col. Garrett Harencak, who was the 7th Bomb Wing's vice commander at the time. He is now the commander. His children attend AISD, which he praises as one of the best districts in the country.
The French Robertson Unit was added to the policy change because at the time the prison warden had children in Wylie schools, said Wylie Superintendent Don Harrison. Wardens and assistant wardens are not required to live at French Robertson, but they are highly encouraged to, said a Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokeswoman.
Harencak said he requested the Wylie policy change on behalf of Dyess families. One Dyess commander involved had children who previously attended Wylie schools, but his new assignment required him to move on base.
''Children of military members change schools often, and any stability in a military child's education is greatly appreciated,'' Harencak said.
The AISD school board president and superintendent learned about the policy from the Reporter-News this week. At first, Superintendent David Polnick said he was shocked. Later, he said he supports the commander's efforts to provide stability for military children.
''Col. Harencak has been very supportive of our schools,'' Polnick said.
The commander recited the Pledge of Allegiance at AISD's convocation this school year. When he was introduced, he received a standing ovation from school employees.
The base leadership has worked hard to make their relationship with AISD one of the best in the military, and the Wylie transfer policy doesn't change that, Harencak said.
The policy says students whose parents' supervisory roles require them to live on base or at French Robertson northeast of Abilene can apply to transfer in tuition-free to Wylie. The 2,900-student district in south Abilene is brimming with new development.
Wylie has gained a handful of children from the policy change.
At the time of the policy change, Harencak said about 10 families were living on base as required.
As many as 18 top base supervisors are required to live on base, but some can apply for waivers, a base spokesman said. These key positions, referred to as ''mission essential,'' include senior commanders, the command chief, inspector general, fire chief and deputy commanders.
Harrison said the policy was meant to apply only to the top two or three people at Dyess.
:thinking: :thinking:
By Sidney Levesque / levesques@reporternews.com
March 2, 2006
The children of Dyess Air Force Base commanders and the French Robertson Unit wardens can transfer into Wylie schools, even if they don't live in the district.
Wylie's policy raised some eyebrows when it was mentioned at a recent meeting of the Boundary Committee, which is redrawing school zones in the Abilene Independent School District.
Dyess is in the 16,680-student AISD, which is struggling with declining enrollment. The prison is in the Clyde school district.
In the past, Wylie officials have said they do not accept transfers. However, exceptions are made for employees' children and high school seniors whose parents move out of the district.
The Wylie school board approved the transfer policy change in 2003 at the request of Col. Garrett Harencak, who was the 7th Bomb Wing's vice commander at the time. He is now the commander. His children attend AISD, which he praises as one of the best districts in the country.
The French Robertson Unit was added to the policy change because at the time the prison warden had children in Wylie schools, said Wylie Superintendent Don Harrison. Wardens and assistant wardens are not required to live at French Robertson, but they are highly encouraged to, said a Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokeswoman.
Harencak said he requested the Wylie policy change on behalf of Dyess families. One Dyess commander involved had children who previously attended Wylie schools, but his new assignment required him to move on base.
''Children of military members change schools often, and any stability in a military child's education is greatly appreciated,'' Harencak said.
The AISD school board president and superintendent learned about the policy from the Reporter-News this week. At first, Superintendent David Polnick said he was shocked. Later, he said he supports the commander's efforts to provide stability for military children.
''Col. Harencak has been very supportive of our schools,'' Polnick said.
The commander recited the Pledge of Allegiance at AISD's convocation this school year. When he was introduced, he received a standing ovation from school employees.
The base leadership has worked hard to make their relationship with AISD one of the best in the military, and the Wylie transfer policy doesn't change that, Harencak said.
The policy says students whose parents' supervisory roles require them to live on base or at French Robertson northeast of Abilene can apply to transfer in tuition-free to Wylie. The 2,900-student district in south Abilene is brimming with new development.
Wylie has gained a handful of children from the policy change.
At the time of the policy change, Harencak said about 10 families were living on base as required.
As many as 18 top base supervisors are required to live on base, but some can apply for waivers, a base spokesman said. These key positions, referred to as ''mission essential,'' include senior commanders, the command chief, inspector general, fire chief and deputy commanders.
Harrison said the policy was meant to apply only to the top two or three people at Dyess.
:thinking: :thinking: