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Committee debates adding handbook language on forfeits; policy subcommittee recommended handbook insertion rather than policy change
Summary
Pembroke School Committee members debated whether to add handbook language allowing forfeits for safety reasons or to amend policy JJIB at their Jan. 7 meeting.
Pembroke School Committee members debated whether to place new language about forfeiting contests into the athletic handbook or to amend policy JJIB (Interscholastic Athletics).
The draft handbook language (included in committee packets) would add wording on page 4 under “general rules of participation” stating that participation is governed by policy JJIB and that “no student, athlete, or coach shall be penalized by the district in any manner for forfeiting an athletic contest against an opposing team because such a team includes athletes of the opposite ***,” language the committee heard was intended to put current practice into writing.
Policy subcommittee members told the committee they recommended not changing the formal JJIB policy and instead suggested placing the language in the athletic handbook. Committee members discussed concerns about possible legal exposure if the language were codified as a policy and said they would request legal counsel’s review. One committee member asked why the item had not come back from policy subcommittee as an amendment; the subcommittee’s recommendation, the committee was told, was explicitly not to amend the policy at this time.
Members discussed practical implications—whether a forfeited game would count against a team’s win‑loss record and playoff eligibility under Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) rules—and possible impacts across sports (field hockey, volleyball, wrestling, swimming were mentioned). Several members emphasized the need to protect student safety and to avoid penalizing students or coaches who prioritize safety.
No vote was taken on Jan. 7. Committee members asked staff to obtain a legal opinion on whether handbook language or a policy amendment would be advisable and to return with a recommendation; the committee also confirmed handbook edits will be considered as part of the regular spring handbook review process and would not be advanced mid‑cycle.
Because the proposal originated from an athletic director (noted in the packet) and drew interest from other districts, committee members asked staff to coordinate with the policy subcommittee and legal counsel before any first‑reading or vote.
