New policies for spring sports<br>
Athletic Director Matt Yost presented the revised handbook to the School Board last Tuesday, Feb. 8, highlighting the changes and additions made to previous sports policies for middle and high school. The new guide combines both programs under a consistent set of policies addressing behavior, program administration and academic performance. It adds a code of ethics, strengthens consequences for profane and unsportsmanlike conduct during games and provides a mechanism to carry forward sanctions for behavior at the end of the sports season.
One thing that hasn’t yet been changed is the minimum level of academic performance required for sports eligibility. Currently, it is 59.9 percent, which rounds up to a 60, or just barely passing. In the past, the school has required at least a 70 average to play.
School Superintendent Sheila Breen said that administrators decided to leave the standard as is while they gather more information through the spring sports season.
“We wanted to leave it the way it was while we collected data on how many kids would be knocked out if we raised eligibility,” Breen said.
Principal Bob Kelso said that data from the winter sports season showed that raising the standard from 60 to 65 would have affected few players but that going to 70 would have a more significant impact.
“Nearly all of our athletes would be able to play at 65, but if we raise it to 70, it begs the question, will our athletes step up?” Kelso said.
“If they want to play that badly, they will fight for the grade,” said teacher Terry Tobin, who was present at the meeting.
Teacher Jillian Worssom agreed that the existing standard is too low.
“You can have a 61 percent and be barely passing but you’re eligible for sports,” she said. “I’m not sure if 61 can even pass the AIMS test. I would love the board to address that at some point. A ‘D’ is a ‘D’ – it’s below average. As a professional educator, I have to wonder what kind of message this is sending to students.”
“(Raising the standard) would be consistent with everything else we’re trying to do,” said Breen.
Board members also supported the principle of a higher academic standard.
“I would love to address that,” said Bess Foster. “Kids are able to come to practice but not play (if they don’t meet the standard) but maybe why they’re failing is because they’re at practice. It’s a catch 22. With some kids, the only reason they’re trying to get the 60 is because they want to play basketball.”
Breen said that the eligibility level will be determined before summer break so that parents and students are aware of the new policy before next school year begins.
The board also discussed how to consistently enforce the policy addressing suspension of eligibility for infractions like smoking, drinking, drug use and vandalism.
Foster asked if suspensions would apply to out of school behavior.
Kelso said that in absence of a law enforcement report, following up on out of school behavior is difficult.
“There is no mechanism to be informed,” he said. “It becomes enforcement by rumor.”
Other changes and additions:
• All head coaches, assistant coaches and volunteers with contact with students must watch the Arizona Interscholastic Association “Victory with Honor” video at least every two years.
• During overnight stays, the team must stay together as a group for all activities.
• Players are required to clean the bus following road trips.
• For fall sports, academic eligibility will be based on spring semester grades.
• Transition room student will not be eligible to play sports.
• Students will be required to serve all after-school and Friday detentions before being allowed to participate in contests the following weekend.
• Students will be given a two-week grace period to quit any team. After that, quitting may result in future sports ineligibility.
• Players may be ejected from a contest for unsportsmanlike behavior.
• End-of-season penalties will be enforced at the beginning of the subsequent season.
• Disciplinary procedures are standardized, beyond the existing one-game suspension for an offense. A second offense will result in suspension for the season. A third infraction will result in suspension for the current semester and the one following.
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