BC News

Board of Education agrees on outline of athletics participation policy
Release Date: May 8, 2008

At its meeting on Wednesday, May 7, the Bethlehem Central Board of Education approved the outline of an athletics participation policy that would bring consistency to the varsity level and ensure that no BC student will be prohibited from trying out for or participating on a sports team because of a vacation, service trip or other opportunity that will take them away from the team for a time during the season.

Board President James Lytle said it was clear that the Board and a committee working on the issue agreed on three basic principles: student athletes have a responsibility to fulfill to their teams; there will be consequences for missing games for vacations and other activities -but they will not include ineligibility for the entire season; and there will be an appeals process for students whose absences are due to extenuating circumstances. The Board unanimously approved this framework for a policy to be included in the High School's Athletic Handbook.

The progress on the issue is the result of the work of a committee of parents and coaches, led by BC High School Principal Charles Abba and Ronald Smith, who recently completed a stint as interim athletic director. The committee, which included nine BC coaches and six parents, reported on its progress to the Board at the meeting.

The issue came to light this year when two student-athletes chose to attend a church youth group service trip to help rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina instead of participation in varsity sports, per team policy. In response to concerns, the Board of Education asked Mr. Abba and Mr. Smith to conduct a review of Athletic Department practices with coaches and parents.

"I believe this is the right approach," Mr. Abba said. "It calls for consistency across the Athletic Department and ensures that no student will be prevented from participating on a team due to circumstances or opportunities that will take them out of town. I want to thank the parents and coaches whose participation in the process has led to this improvement."

Prior to the Board's action on Wednesday, department policy left the issue of eligibility with regard to absences up to individual coaches. Draft policy language the committee presented at the meeting calls for student-athletes who miss games due to vacation to sit an equal number of games upon their return to the team.

Committee members present at the meeting on Wednesday said they shared their approach to the new guidelines with students, who were happy with the direction they were taking.

At this point, district officials will work on the particulars of the policy language with the committee and will bring more formal language to the Board at an upcoming meeting. When the policy is finalized, it will be posted on the district's Web site and communicated to student-athletes and their parents.

 

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