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School committee members ask why homeschooled students may be excluded from early credit courses and raise questions about opt‑out ruling
Summary
Members asked the interim receiver about eligibility of homeschooled students for early college credit courses and whether the district had seen opt‑out requests following a recent court decision; the superintendent said he would investigate and was not aware of any incidents.
At the Sept. 9 Southbridge School Committee meeting, Member Stephanie Rivers asked administration why homeschooled students appeared to be excluded from early college/ACC (advanced credit) courses available to district students.
"So, why are they being excluded, the homeschool students, from being able to participate?" Rivers asked during member questions. Mr. Metzger replied that he was not personally aware of situations where students were excluded and that the district generally makes accommodations for homeschooled students where possible. He said he would look into possible reasons such as enrollment caps and follow up with more information.
A separate committee question raised legal compliance with parents’ rights after a recent court decision. Member Frank Kabinski asked whether any incidents had arisen in the district related to the decision he identified as "Mohammed versus Taylor," which he said allows parents to opt their children out of instruction that conflicts with sincerely held religious beliefs. Mr. Metzger said he was not aware of any incidents requiring intervention and that he would follow up if the committee wanted more information.
Why it matters: eligibility for early college or advanced‑credit coursework affects access to college credits and student opportunities; legal questions about instructional opt‑outs can affect curriculum delivery and local compliance procedures.
No formal action was taken on either point during the meeting. Members requested that administration return with clarifying information about (1) whether and why homeschooled students may be excluded from early credit offerings and (2) whether district practices need to change to align with the cited court ruling.
The committee also heard that the early college program referenced in the meeting is at its current enrollment cap across three classes; Mr. Metzger said he would check whether caps or program rules are the reason homeschooled students could not enroll.
No vote or policy change occurred at the Sept. 9 meeting on either matter.
