Burlington board approves 28E sharing agreements with Great River Christian; adds state-law language for private-school fees

The Burlington Community School District Board of Education voted to approve 28E cooperative agreements with Great River Christian School that allow students enrolled there to participate in Burlington athletic programs, adding an amendment that conditions any compensation on state law and guidance.

The board’s discussion focused on how recent state changes affect eligibility and fees for students enrolled in accredited nonpublic schools. Administrators and board members said the agreements were necessary to allow students from Great River Christian to play volleyball, boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball and girls’ tennis while clarifying how fees will be charged.

School staff explained that, under recent guidance, private-school students who live inside Burlington’s attendance boundaries will not be billed for participation; when students live outside the district or in other jurisdictions, the resident school or district would pay a per-student fee. The draft agreement lists $225 per participating student for the named sports but was amended in committee language to read: “Great River Christian School will compensate Burlington pursuant to state law and guidance, $225 per Great River Christian School student athlete that participates in the volleyball program,” with the understanding that the phrasing covers the other listed sports as well.

Board members and staff debated how specific the agreement should be now that state rules remain partially unsettled. District staff recommended the phrase “pursuant to state law and guidance” to avoid drafting an agreement that could conflict with forthcoming clarifications from the state. District counsel and staff said the change could be added to other existing 28E agreements for private schools at a later date but warned that reopening earlier agreements would require additional board approvals and could affect immediate student eligibility if revised before season starts.

The board approved the amended 28E agreements with an explicit direction that district staff add the state-law language to the agreement form now and that administrators would revisit other agreements as needed. Board members said the $225 amount is experimental and could be adjusted next year if outside participation increases or creates additional coaching or operational costs.

The vote was taken by voice; the motion passed.