To – District Administrators and Open Enrollment Coordinators
 
From – Mary Jo Cleaver and Merry Larsen, Open Enrollment Consultant
 
Subject – Initial Handling of Applications
 
Well, the window is closed.  You’re discovering a lot of errors.  Parents have missed the deadline, want to correct 
applications, want to delete applications.  Please use the following procedures:
 
Entering applications in OPAL:
 
*	Nonresident districts, please enter all applications into OPAL by the end of the day today.  If you 
absolutely cannot do it today (i.e. the district office is closed), then get them in by noon tomorrow. It is 
essential that applications be entered into OPAL in a timely manner.  All the communication features of 
OPAL require that the data be in OPAL.  If you need assistance, please contact one of us.  
 
Deleting Applications:  
 
*	The first set of deletions has been accomplished.  This would cover all deletions requested through Friday.   
*	Make all deletion requests in OPAL.  Be sure to indicate the reason for deletion.  
*	Only nonresident districts should request deletion. 
*	Please do not make multiple requests.  
*	Please, please, please be very careful when requesting applications be deleted.  If you erroneously request 
deletion, it is extremely!!! difficult to ensure it does not get deleted.  In fact, we cannot assure this.  If it is 
erroneously deleted, it can be restored, but it’s more steps when we already have plenty to do.  
*	Applications will only be deleted for the following reasons:
*	Parent submitted an application but was not required to reapply.  
*	Parent was required by the nonresident district to reapply at the beginning of middle school, junior 
high or high school.   In this case, print a copy of the application and request deletion in OPAL.  
*	Parent requests deletion.  
*	Applications will not be deleted for the following reasons:
*	Resident or nonresident district does not offer 4K and/or the student is age-ineligible.   These 
applications must be denied.  
*	Student does not reside in the resident district indicated.  The parent may be applying in 
anticipation of a move.  If you believe the application is truly in error, contact the parent.  
*	Any other reason not listed above as a reason for deletion.  
 
Correcting errors:
 
*	You can correct any application you entered.  All other corrections need to be made by DPI.  Please send 
correction requests to DPIOpenEnrollment@dpi.wi.gov.   
*	Please batch your requests.  Please do not send individual requests unless you have very few changes to be 
made.  
*	Minor errors can be corrected.  This includes spelling errors, birthdate, grade, address, parent names, etc.  
*	Resident districts can be corrected this week.  After this week, they can only be corrected if approved by 
the “new” resident district. 
*	If the resident and nonresident districts are flipped, we will correct that error.  These should be requested 
this week.  
*	Except as indicated immediately above, nonresident districts will not be changed for any reason!!!
 
Requesting records:
 
*	Nonresident districts must request special education and expulsion records from resident districts.  It is 
recommended that records be requested for all applicants.  Hopefully the updated records request “form” 
will be on the website in a few days.  You can create your own form, letter or mergedoc if you wish.  (Note:  
the current form is on the website at http://dpi.wi.gov/sms/doc/oerecreq.doc, you can download it and 
make corrections if you wish.)  
*	If a parent has withdrawn consent for special education, the nonresident district must treat the application 
in the same manner it treats applications from non-disabled students. 
*	Resident districts must send records within 5 working days from receiving the records request.   
*	Nonresident districts must send cost estimates on or before March 15. 
 
 
 
Mary Jo Cleaver
Public School Open Enrollment Consultant
Department of Public Instruction
608-267-9101 or toll-free 888-245-2732
fax:  608-267-9207
email: maryjo.cleaver@dpi.wi.gov
website: http://dpi.wi.gov/sms/psctoc.html 
 
Merry Larsen
Public School Open Enrollment Consultant
Department of Public Instruction
608-266-2146 or toll-free 888-245-2732
fax:  608-267-9207
email: merry.larsen@dpi.wi.gov
website: http://dpi.wi.gov/sms/psctoc.html