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Trustees approve policy excluding homeschool students from UIL participation
Summary
The board approved revisions to FD Local and FM Local that prevent homeschooled students from participating in UIL activities under district policy; trustees debated potential impacts on roster spots and program funding.
The Bay City ISD Board of Trustees voted to adopt local policy language that excludes homeschooled students from participating in University Interscholastic League (UIL) activities under district teams and programs.
District administrators presented two policy updates — FD Local and FM Local — and described the tradeoffs. Allowing homeschooled students to join UIL teams can increase participation and may provide the district with $1,500 per participating activity in some contexts, but trustees said they were concerned about rosters and opportunities for enrolled students, the potential for families to switch enrollment status to access extracurricular activities, and the district’s limited program budgets for some sports (swim was referenced as an example of a program with high operating costs).
During discussion trustees noted some districts that do accept homeschoolers impose academic and attendance requirements (for example, documentation of a nationally recognized homeschool program and verification of attendance or participation in class periods and practices). Trustees acknowledged both perspectives — the value of extra participation opportunities for children, and the need to protect roster spots and resources for enrolled students.
After discussion trustees approved FD Local and FM Local as presented, with a 5–0 vote. The policies take effect under district policy rules; administrators said the vote will be reflected in board policy files and the district’s athletic and activity operations going forward.
