Massena board removes vague 'feelings' language from student athletic eligibility policy

The Massena Central School District Board of Education voted to amend policy 74-23 (student athletic eligibility code) to remove the words "and feelings" from letter a under number 1 of the policy, trustees said at the board’s regular meeting.

Trustee Trish moved to make the edit and advance the policy without a second reading; the board approved the motion. The change follows committee and board discussion about the policy’s language and how it intersects with existing regulations and the district’s athletic code.

Trustees said the phrase was too vague to enforce. "Feelings are just feelings," said Trustee Kevin during debate, arguing the wording lacked clear standards for application. Trustee Monroe suggested replacing the phrasing with a sportsmanship standard: "Could we replace that with a line about sportsmanship?" Monroe asked, framing the suggestion as a way to keep the district’s authority to address behavior outside athletic events.

Administration and trustees clarified that the musical program’s separate code of conduct had been modeled on athletic language and that implementation often left discretion to building-level directors. The board indicated it would include the review cycle for the athletic code and related high-school regulations in an annual August review so future administrators and board members would have continuity.

The board approved the amended policy during the action portion of the agenda. No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript; the meeting minutes will reflect the formal vote and the amended policy text.

Board members said next steps would include integrating the edited language into the district’s policy manual and continuing the planned annual review cycle.