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Parents urge board to allow homeschooled students in marching band; district staff to review law
Summary
Parents of homeschooled students told the Williamson County Board of Education that Tennessee law and local practice support allowing homeschooled students to participate in Page High School's competitive marching band and color guard. Board and staff said no district policy exists and legal and policy review will follow.
A group of parents and band supporters asked the Williamson County Board of Education on May 19 to allow homeschooled students to join Page High School's marching band and color guard, arguing the activities meet Tennessee's definition of interscholastic athletic competition and noting district band staff support the students' participation.
Why it matters: If the board or staff concludes the activity qualifies under state law, homeschooled students could gain access to a wide set of extracurricular opportunities they otherwise cannot easily pursue, including competitive events the district treats as athletic for credit.
At public comment, Serena DeGrino, a parent, said, "The Tennessee code clearly states that homeschooled students shall be permitted to participate in interscholastic athletic competition at their zone school," and argued marching band and color guard fit that description because they compete against other schools and receive trophies. Tammy McAllister, another parent, described color guard as "a performance that involves a group of athletic dancers who use equipment and choreography to visually interpret music," and noted color guard also competes in a winter season (winter guard). Rochelle Schoenborn, speaking for the Greenough family, cited "Tennessee code 49 6 3 0 5 0 subsection e 1 b" and described Page's band as a competitive program with multiweek practices, summer camps and out-of-school competitions. Kristen Anderson, a Page parent, added that marching band and color guard are physically demanding and that the district already allows marching participation to satisfy a physical-education credit.
Board response was procedural and cautious. Superintendent Jason Golden summarized the state statutory structure and said the district has historically categorized band and related activities under its arts programs rather than as interscholastic athletics. He noted the district had received recent emails from a nonprofit that included an outside attorney and said, "Miss Osbruch is having some conversations with that attorney related to the Tennessee law." Dana Osbruch, identified in discussion as district legal counsel, reminded the board that a federal 2020 law requires public high schools to allow homeschooled students to attend JROTC during the school day and evening and said the state law on interscholastic athletics is silent in some areas; she said staff would continue to review the applicable statutes and guidance.
No formal policy change or vote occurred. Board members and staff said the district currently has no board policy specifically permitting or denying homeschool participation in marching band or color guard. Board member comments indicated the next steps are staff legal review and, if appropriate, placing the matter on a policy committee agenda for formal consideration.
What's next: Staff indicated they will consult counsel and the state guidance, and the board suggested the matter could be discussed at a future policy committee meeting before any formal change is adopted.
