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Parentally placed special‑education student’s request to join district sports moves to legal review; board flags policy questions on homeschool participation
Summary
A Montgomery parent asked the board to permit his son — parentally placed in a special‑education school — to participate in district athletics; the superintendent has forwarded the case to the board attorney.
A Montgomery Township parent asked the Board of Education to allow his son, Lincoln Manente, a student with a disability who is parentally placed in a recognized special‑education school, to participate in district athletic programs.
Christopher Manente said his son has wrestled for Montgomery’s recreational program for eight years, has made the New Jersey State championships for two consecutive years and has been a role model for younger athletes. He told the board that under New Jersey rules, parentally placed special‑education students may participate in district athletics with board approval and that he had previously emailed the board seeking that approval.
The superintendent’s office responded, Mr. Manente said, that his son did not meet eligibility criteria because he was not enrolled in the district or because he did not meet the district’s stated criteria for participation. After a follow up from the parent, the superintendent said the matter had been forwarded to the board attorney for review.
Board members cautioned against discussing an individual student in public. One board member noted that the district attorney would review applicable policies and advise the board; the superintendent confirmed the file had been sent to counsel. Board members also flagged two district policies during the public discussion: policy 2431 (which the board noted currently limits participation by non‑district students/homeschoolers) and policy 2460 (special education), and asked that policy committee review whether any exceptions or clarifications are warranted for parentally placed students with disabilities.
A separate line of inquiry at the meeting asked whether homeschooled children who live in the township but attend non‑public curricula elsewhere can or should be allowed to participate in district athletics; board members agreed to take the question to the policy committee for review. Members noted NJSIAA (New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association) rules and insurance/residency requirements will likely affect any change.
No formal vote was taken; the superintendent and attorney will respond to the parent and the board attorney will provide legal guidance to the board. The board’s policy committee will review policies 2431 and 2460 and report back.
