Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board debates policy to open extracurriculars to homeschool students; BlendEd cited as existing pathway
Summary
A proposal to direct the policy committee to craft rules allowing homeschool students to participate in Moore County Schools extracurriculars prompted a lengthy debate: supporters cited market-share and inclusion; others urged caution, pointing to BlendEd as an existing option and the need to avoid added burdens on staff and enrolled students.
Board member Ken Hensley proposed that the policy committee draft a rule allowing homeschool families to participate in Moore County Schools extracurricular activities "to the greatest extent allowed by law," arguing the change would increase the district's market share and community ties. He said families who pay taxes should have access to local activities even if they choose home instruction.
Several board members and staff responded. Miss Dahl and other trustees said BlendEd and the district's existing Lehi Ed program already provide structured pathways for homeschoolers to access school offerings and that enrollment brings state funding and easier administration. Dahl urged the board to ensure any new policy would not detract from the district's strategic plan priorities for enrolled students or add uncompensated burdens to teachers and staff.
Board debate focused on practical and legal questions: tracking and protecting unenrolled participants, fee structures, capacity in popular activities, potential liability, and whether opening activities would require additional staff time. Staff noted BlendEd was designed to scale and is the recommended route for homeschool families seeking participation, while others on the board argued that an inclusive extracurricular policy could be fashioned with student fees and clear logistical rules.
No policy change was adopted at the work session; several members asked staff to study capacity, staffing impacts and legal constraints and to return options to policy committee.
