Old Rochester Regional High School is always in hot demand when it comes to kids wanting to enroll from other school districts, and the school always has a long waiting list of kids trying to get in through the school choice program.

But the June 1 lottery date is too late for a lot of the kids on the list, said Principal Mike Devoll. On Wednesday, he asked the ORR School Committee to consider moving that date to April.

“I finally got to the end of the waiting list, and I still have one open spot in school choice,” said Devoll.

The June 1 date comes after most other public, private and vocational schools have made their decision, and since there are at least four times as many kids on the ORR waiting list as can be accepted, families aren’t willing to take the risk.

The state pays $5,000 for each school choice student enrolled at the school, which the School Committee factors into the budgeting process. If slots are empty, it means money not coming into the school.

The late timing also has an impact on students, said Devoll. He gives families accepted in the lottery a month to decide if they will take the slot. Those who are accepted in July from the waiting list can't meet with a guidance counselor or choose classes until a few days before school begins. As such, they will have missed summer reading requirements.

With an earlier date, Devoll said, “I think we’d fill those seats by the close of school.”

Committee member James Muse was in favor of changing the dates, which will mean beginning budget discussions earlier.

“I think it makes perfect sense and is fair to all parties concerned,” he said.

Superintendent Doug White said the matter would next need to go before the policy subcommittee for review.