Homeschooling parent urges Rutherford to allow homeschooled students in school sports; board says policy is local decision

Deacon Raymond Schembri of Rutherford asked the school board to reverse what he described as a blanket prohibition on homeschooled students joining Rutherford athletic teams and asked that his homeschooled daughter be allowed to try out for the high‑school swim team.

"Please let my daughter swim on the Rutherford High School swim team," Schembri said during public comment, adding that homeschoolers in New Jersey can be eligible if local boards approve and if homeschool guidelines are satisfied. Schembri said his daughter has strong academics and club‑team swimming experience and argued that allowing homeschoolers to participate is fair because homeschool families pay local school taxes.

Board members limited back‑and‑forth during public comment but allowed the superintendent time to respond. Superintendent Jack Hurley (speaking from administration) said that the change allowing local boards discretion occurred several years ago. "The homeschool change several years ago was statewide. Prior to that change, it was a blanket across the state. They could not participate. Then the change came in ... that said it was up to local boards whether or not they could participate," he said, noting that the district has treated eligibility as a local policy decision since that change.

The board did not vote on any policy change at the meeting. Members thanked Schembri for his comments and said the district appreciates public input; no immediate action was taken and the matter was left for potential future policy consideration.