New state law opens district athletics to homeschooled and virtual students; board to revise policies

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,…