The registrar is probably a better source of info than the principal.

OP here, Thanks all for the responses. It sounds like my original understanding (we'd be out of luck if we moved OOB) is correct, so we'll keep renting in bounds if needed. We will discuss with the principal before we do anything. Thanks again.

Again, I believe reenrollment via the OOB lottery will be required for SY 2016-17 and subsequent years. This reflects removal of the Handbook language in March as it is not applicable to the ongoing lottery for SY 2015-16. In other words, OP would be eligible to stay enrolled at Brent through June of 2016 in the event she moved OOB at any time during the SY, but will have to apply for an OOB seat for SY 2016-17 unless this particular provision of the DME Plan is deferred.