Board approves athletic handbook with added anti-bullying language and tryout policy after extended debate

Trustees spent extended time discussing the district athletic handbook and policies on tryouts, team selection and student-athlete conduct before approving the handbook for 2025–26 with added language.

Board members raised concerns that the athletic handbook did not explicitly call out bullying or hold athletes to a stated standard of conduct equivalent to other expectations; they requested clearer language about coach and program responsibility and possible disciplinary consequences for student-athletes. One trustee said athletes should be held to a higher standard because their behavior can "lift their peers up or tear them down." Another trustee suggested engaging team captains and leaders to help change program culture.

The board considered two votes on the handbook. An initial motion to approve the handbook with Option 2 (tryout and team selection policy) failed; board members then proposed and passed an amended motion to approve the handbook with added verbiage addressing expectations and discipline and with Option 2 included. The final action also included adding "athletic director" to the language referencing coach discretion.

Key points from the final policy discussion:

- Tryouts and practice-player provisions: Option 2 specifies that tryouts may occur and that students who do not make a competitive team should be allowed to remain in the program as practice players or other roles at the coach/athletic director’s discretion. The board emphasized that schedules would not be changed to force participation and that practice-player status is non-competitive.

- Bullying and program culture: Trustees asked staff to provide recommended verbiage for the handbook ahead of the August meeting. Staff agreed to draft language that would set clear expectations of conduct and possible consequences for student-athletes and to give examples from regional incidents where helpful.

- Operational concerns: Trustees acknowledged that as district enrollment grows, some sports may have capacity limits that make tryouts necessary; the board said it supports coaches while asking for consistent application of policy and clearer communication to parents about expectations and playing-time processes.

Ending: The board approved the athletic handbook with the requested additions and directed staff to publish the handbook and distribute the revised language to coaches and parents prior to fall activities.