The district’s athletics director told the Board of Education that Senate Bill 63, signed by the governor earlier this month and effective Aug. 28, requires school districts to allow students who live in the district but are enrolled in homeschool, family-based education or virtual schools to participate in school athletics and activities in their attendance area. “The basics, school districts cannot prohibit students living in the district and attending a homeschool, a family based education school, or a virtual school from participating in any event or activity offered by the district or the attendance area the student works in,” the athletics director said.

The law expands eligibility to include extracurriculars such as sports, band and co‑curricular activities provided the out‑of‑school students meet standard local requirements: proof of residency, physicals for sports, compliance with conduct, attendance and academic requirements, and any rehearsal or practice attendance the school requires. The athletics director said the state also allows districts to require the same financial and disciplinary standards for these students as for enrolled students.

Why it matters: Board members and staff warned the change could affect competitive classification, team composition and resource use. The district currently reports enrollment at a fixed date in March for classification purposes; adding non‑enrolled students to rosters could change classification counts and the level at which teams compete. The athletics director said the statute and guidance leave several operational questions unresolved, including how the state will count these students for classification and how transfers will be handled.

Discussion and next steps: The Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA) has issued guidance to districts on policy revisions related to the law. The athletics director said the district’s policy and handbook language will be reviewed and revised, and that school administrators will be asked to check student handbooks for provisions that may contradict the new law. The district also expects a ballot or membership vote at the state association level; the athletics director said MSBA staff indicated the association will seek a vote among superintendents or members to adopt conforming bylaw changes.

Board members raised several practical concerns: how enrollment counts for classification will be calculated (the district currently submits a March snapshot of grades 9–11), whether vouchers or state funding that flow to virtual/FPE providers affect district obligations, and how transfer rules will apply if a student switches enrollment status midyear. The athletics director said some questions — for example, the effect on classification and the precise mechanics for transfers and residency verification — “have not been…totally fleshed out” and will require follow‑up with state associations and possibly legal counsel.

Formal actions: No board policy change was adopted at the meeting. The athletics director said administration and the superintendent will present recommended policy revisions in August after reviewing MSBA guidance and coordinating with building administrators. The board also heard that MSBA is preparing a special ballot for August for its membership to vote on conforming bylaw language.

Ending: Board members asked staff to return in August with specific proposed policy language and implementation steps, including how the district will verify residency, handle transfers, and count participants for classification. The district will monitor state guidance and report back to the board prior to the law’s Aug. 28 effective date.