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Homeschooled students, families ask Aransas Pass ISD to allow UIL participation
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Summary
Homeschool students and a parent urged the Aransas Pass ISD board to permit homeschooled students to join UIL activities, citing Senate Bill 401 funding and proposing parity in eligibility verification; board heard testimony but did not take immediate action.
Four speakers during the public-comment portion urged the Aransas Pass Independent School District board to open University Interscholastic League (UIL) activities to homeschooled students.
Megan Lusk said families who homeschool should be allowed to participate in UIL events and that the change would benefit both students and the district. "Senate Bill 401 outlines a $1,500 allotment per student per UIL activity," Lusk told the board, adding that the funding "goes directly to the district when the participation is reported correctly." She urged the board to use parent-verified grades to enforce eligibility in the same way classroom teachers verify public school students.
Twelve-year-old Millie Lusk described her experience in a local youth basketball league and asked the board to let homeschool students join school teams. "I'm finishing the sixth grade. . . I would really love the opportunity for homeschool students like me to participate in UIL activities," she said. Fourteen-year-old Kylie Poteet said homeschooling has taught her discipline and that she wanted the chance to "compete as well as belong" in track and cross country.
Board members listened but did not make a motion or take a vote on the policy during the meeting. The speakers framed their request around three points: (1) a state-level funding allotment referenced in testimony, (2) proposing a verification process to meet "no pass, no play" standards, and (3) concern that allowing homeschooled students would not reduce opportunities for current public-school athletes.
The public testimony concluded with the board moving on to the action items on the agenda; no board directive or staff assignment on the homeschooling/UIL request was announced before adjournment.
