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District updates athletics ARs to reflect state proviso allowing independent-school athletes to play for zone public schools
Summary
Staff said the district is updating SS 31 and SS 36 to add the word 'independent' so independent/private-school students may participate in zone public-school athletics where those private schools do not offer the sport; staff clarified the proviso does not transfer funding to the public school.
Presenters told the committee July 17 that a state budget proviso for the 2024–25 school year (identified in the meeting as part 1b/1h630, specific section 1.118) expands athletic participation rights so that students who attend independent/private schools may play for their zone public schools in sports the private school does not offer.
"This is now the new state law and the new standard," a presenter said while explaining the need to add the word "independent" to district ARs SS 31 and SS 36 so district language mirrors the proviso. The presenter used lacrosse as an example, saying independent-school students could participate at their zone public school if the independent school does not offer that sport.
Committee members raised legal and funding questions. Staff clarified that the proviso does not specify funding to follow those students: "the money does not follow those students," the presenter said. Staff also noted there are distinct governing bodies for private/independent leagues (SCIESA) and public leagues (South Carolina High School League), and that legislative language uses the term "independent." The committee asked staff to supply one-line executive summaries of the changes for the full board.
Staff also described a recently implemented clear-bag policy for athletic events as a security measure aligned with best practices and said nondiscrimination language was added to SS 31 and SS 36.
