Parent urges Gaston County Schools to allow homeschooled students to join athletics without dual enrollment

Sheila Christenberry addressed the Gaston County Board of Education during the June 16 public‑comment period and asked the board to allow homeschooled students to participate in district athletics without dual enrollment.

Christenberry identified herself as both a parent and an advocate and told the board she was speaking to request two actions: immediate permission for her son, Easton, to participate in football and begin summer workouts with documentation provided by the family; and a broader policy change to allow all homeschooled students in Gaston County to play sports provided they meet the same eligibility and safety standards as public‑school students.

She cited the North Carolina Department of Education athletic manual, saying it “clearly states on page 8 that the local board of education may create a policy to allow homeschool students to play sports provided they either are, Gaston County covers the student in catastrophic athletic insurance or verify that the student has independent coverage.” Christenberry said the district currently allows homeschoolers to participate only if they take three classes in the public system and urged the board to change that practice.

Board members did not take action on the request at the meeting; the board’s public‑comment rules were read at the start of the period and the board does not respond to public expression during the public comment period. Christenberry closed by restating the two asks: immediate permission for Easton to participate in football and a policy change for all homeschooled students.