NewsLine staff
The Nassau County School Board voted Feb. 12, 2026, to approve a new hardship transfer policy that allows students facing sudden family crises to remain at their current school rather than be displaced by attendance zoning rules, according to a recent release.
The policy, championed by Vice Chair Joe Zimmerman, establishes a formal process for currently enrolled Nassau County students to apply for a hardship exemption when families experience circumstances such as divorce, custody changes, medical emergencies, or temporary housing disruptions.
“This is about stability when it matters most,” Zimmerman said following the vote. “When a child’s world is turned upside down at home, the last thing they need is to lose the support system they rely on at school.”
To qualify, students must be Nassau County residents already enrolled in the district. Applicants must document a sudden change in circumstance that would otherwise require a school transfer, said a recent release. Students granted a hardship exemption must maintain defined attendance, punctuality, and academic benchmarks to remain eligible. A Hardship Committee made up of district staff will review applications, with final approval by the School Board. Transportation remains the responsibility of the parent or guardian.
Zimmerman said the Hardship Transfer Policy does not eliminate attendance zoning but creates a structured exception for rare, legitimate cases. “Zoning matters and we respect it. But compassion matters too,” he said.
The policy takes effect following administrative implementation and publication in district guidelines, a recent release noted.
