Dannis Woliver Kelley Prevails on Behalf of Rowland Unified School District in District of Choice Case

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Dannis Woliver Kelley (DWK), California's premier, full-service education law firm since 1978, obtained an important victory on behalf of its client the Rowland Unified School District (Rowland), enforcing the District of Choice Program limitations.

The District of Choice statutory scheme permits school districts to enroll students that reside within other school districts without the consent of the home district.  The District of Choice law has existed for many years but this is the first time the court has been called upon to interpret its provisions. The Court of Appeal denied Walnut Valley Unified School District's appeal of the trial court decision, and awarded costs to Rowland.  The Court has now ruled that Rowland Unified School District properly interpreted the statutory limitations of the program. Rowland Superintendent Dr. Maria Ott said, "We are pleased with the decision because it affirms that Rowland's interpretation of the District of Choice law was correct, and we are grateful that both the Superior Court and the Court of Appeal ruled in our favor. Now it is time to move forward and put this difficult situation behind us."

This case was not about the virtue of the District of Choice law.  The suit was brought to enforce existing law for the benefit of students and the community.  Sue Ann Evans, Dannis Woliver Kelley, lead counsel for Rowland, said, "The Court's decision affirms Rowland's interpretation of the law and by publishing its decision, the Court has provided clear direction to school districts across the state.  We are very pleased to have assisted our client on these important issues."

The Court of Appeal Opinion can be found here

SOURCE Dannis Woliver Kelley