'Sorry son, you can't come to this school': Mid-Del families describe enrollment issues

DEL CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — Several Mid-Del Public Schools families shared with FOX 25 that they're having issues with enrollment—even as students have already started classes.

One parent is worried his son may not be going to the same school as he did last year.

The parent did not wish to share his name but spoke with FOX 25 at the district's enrollment center on Wednesday.

"I did this in May. And now I'm doing this again today," he explained.

According to the concerned Mid-Del parent, his eight-year-old was enrolled at Soldier Creek Elementary last year.

Although zoned for Choctaw-Nicoma Park School District, the parent thought his son was covered by Oklahoma's open enrollment policy, which can allow students to attend schools outside of their zoned options.

He noted, "I feel like I've exhausted all my efforts to try to get him to a place that he [desires] to be, a place that he's comfortable in... the environment that he wants to learn in to now uprooting him, and just kind of dropping him off."

The concerned parent asserted his son encountered difficulties in Choctaw-Nicoma Park schools but found a home at Solider Creek—and even went to this year's teacher meet-and-greet.

"[I'll] have to be the one to tell a sad eight-year-old child, 'I'm sorry son, you can't come to this school, most likely,'" he added.

Amid the enrollment challenges, he thanked Mid-Del Public Schools and underscored the challenging nature of the district's responsibilities.

FOX 25 made multiple requests for comment, but the district did not immediately respond.

While on the scene, a FOX 25 crew waited at the enrollment center to see if officials would answer questions concerning the situation.

A staff member informed the crew they didn't have permission to be on the property and told them to leave.