Committee adopts revised concussion testing policy; baseline impact testing required for most sports and optional for Unified Sports

The Easton School Committee approved revised policy JJIF and JJIFR to address suspected sports‑related head injuries and baseline impact testing. The revised language requires a baseline impact test prior to first participating in extracurricular athletics beginning at the middle‑school level and then every two years prior to the start of the sport season; testing for Unified Sports athletes will be optional.

Athletic Director Mary McDonald told the committee she supported testing for all athletes and recommended against a broad opt‑out that could be confusing to administer across sports. "I just foresee parents calling me, 'why'd I opt my kid out so he can play today?'" McDonald said, explaining practical concerns around last‑minute opt‑outs on game day. She recommended handling rare, serious opt‑out requests on a case‑by‑case basis.

Committee members asked about timing for implementation so that athletes are not barred from immediate contests; McDonald recommended rolling the testing in for the winter season to give staff time to complete baseline tests. The committee moved and approved the revised policies by roll call (unanimous). The athletic department will update registration and public materials to reflect the new requirement and to clarify testing timelines and costs (McDonald estimated current kit costs to be modest per student and described package options for future years).

The committee agreed to monitor logistics and communicate with families to avoid last‑minute eligibility problems.