Board approves athletic handbook terminology change to align with Mississippi High School Activities Association and authorizes sponsorship advertising

The Vicksburg Warren School District Board of Trustees directed district leadership to update the district athletic handbook to use terminology aligned with the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) and approved a plan to advertise athletic sponsorships for the 2025–26 school year.

Board members discussed wording used in the current handbook for extracurricular activities (choir, band, cheerleading and traditional athletics). The superintendent reported that district wording now aligns with the MHSAA and noted the agenda copy did not reflect a recently made change to replace “student athlete” with “interscholastic athlete.” The superintendent told the board the district’s handbook structure is consistent with MHSAA practice: one general handbook with activity-specific sections or supplements. “What we're doing is aligned with what they are doing at the activity association,” the superintendent said.

Coach Lewis and other staff supported the change. A board member moved to approve the handbook with an instruction to the superintendent and the athletic director to update the language to read “interscholastic” where appropriate; the motion passed by voice vote. The board also approved a separate motion to authorize advertising for athletic sponsorships; staff explained the sponsorship solicitation will be for the 2025–26 school year and that dates in the draft will be updated to reflect use beginning in 2025–26.

Board members described the handbook change as semantic but important for consistency with the state association and to ensure inclusive language for all activities that fall under the MHSAA umbrella. Staff said the change does not alter policies, procedures or rules but standardizes terminology across activity areas.