Policy committee reviews proposed changes to athletic eligibility; 85% attendance maintenance required by first quarter for probationary athletes

At a September policy committee meeting, Deputy Superintendent Alex Peterson presented proposed revisions to policy 54-11 on student athletic eligibility intended to give students who have met academic-credit requirements but are just below attendance thresholds a probationary path to participate in school athletics.

Peterson said the administration prepared a redlined version showing the current language — which she described as requiring an 80% attendance rate from the prior school year — alongside the proposed language and a cleaner, consolidated policy text. "We do know within the current policy now for those students, they can appeal to the superintendent to consider whether or not they can participate or be on probation," Peterson said. She added the administration wants an eligibility framework that keeps academics central while allowing flexibility for students who have earned credits but fall short on attendance.

The proposal would require students placed on probation to reach and maintain an 85% attendance rate by the end of the first marking quarter. "So the 85% in the probationary by the end of the first marking quarter. We would like to see it to be 85%, and we want it to be maintained," Peterson told the committee. The administration also emphasized that the policy retains academic requirements including the districts 4.5-credit expectation for athletics eligibility.

Board members voiced support and asked about implementation. Board member Berberelli said, "I do like that change because it is such a short, you know, roll it into fall," adding that year-to-year attendance is a strong predictor of participation. Board member Burks asked what happens if administrative paperwork delays a student's registration and the registration window closes; Peterson said families should contact the athletic department and that, "Day 1 of school, we did have the eligibility policy. Students were still allowed to sign up and participate." She said she had asked Athletic Director Martin Herrera and staff to schedule family engagement around final forms and athletic registration during open houses.

Peterson described tools the district has put in place for families to track eligibility: "We did, I think it's been about 2 years ago, added to all student and parent portal access, their eligibility tab. So a student or a parent, within Infinite Campus can click on their eligibility tab. We've also, included that in their report card so that they can see the eligibility." She added the portal display is color-coded so families can see risk status and that coaches receive the same report.

No final vote was taken. Peterson recommended the revised policy be brought back as a first reading at the next board meeting on September 30. The committee did not adopt the policy at this meeting; the item remains a first-reading matter and staff said they will provide the board with the redline language, outreach dates for families, and follow-up details from the athletic department.

What happened next: staff directed the athletic director and district family-engagement staff to schedule outreach on final forms and eligibility; the policy was placed on the calendar for a first reading at the September 30 board meeting.