On July 1, 2002, Governor Holden signed into Senate Bill #859 which provides an exemption to military dependents in regard to the A+ School Program’s three-year rule of attendance at a designated A+ high school immediately prior to graduation.

Any student whose family is transferred to Whiteman Air Force Base (WAFB) will be eligible to join Smith-Cotton’s A+ School Program upon enrollment at Smith-Cotton High School. Students wishing to use this exemption must meet all other eligibility requirements. These requirements include cumulative un-weighted grade point average (GPA), attendance, citizenship, tutoring hours and community service hours (the community service hour component begins with the graduating class of 2006 and beyond).

The transfer of the student to Smith-Cotton High School must coincide with the parent(s) transfer orders to WAFB. Furthermore, initial enrollment must be at a designated school for this exemption to be utilized by the student. Any enrollment in a non-A+ designated school will make the student ineligible for the A+ Schools Program.

Military families wishing to participate in Smith-Cotton High School’s A+ Schools Program must provide the A+ Office with a copy of their transfer orders to be included in the student’s A+ file. All other data required for participation will be gained from the student’s transcript and enrollment forms requested by Smith-Cotton High School.

This law became effective August 28, 2002. There are no “grandfather” provisions.