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FCPS committee seeks clearer eligibility, equity and handbook alignment in extracurricular policy
Summary
Committee reviewed Policy 509 and asked staff to clarify eligibility rules across athletics, clubs and competitions, expand access and equity language to non-athletic activities, and align definitions with athletic and extracurricular handbooks and booster guidance.
The policy committee spent an extended period reviewing Policy 509 on extracurricular and co-curricular activities and asked staff to return with clearer, more consistent language on eligibility, equity, definitions and procedures.
Staff said the current policy's wording—particularly the reference to extracurriculars being offered to grades "9 through 12"—is inaccurate and needs revision because extracurriculars are now offered at middle and elementary levels. "That's not true. We do offer extracurricular activities at the middle school level," a staff member said, and committee members asked that the document be overhauled to describe opportunities by grade band.
Several members focused on academic eligibility standards and consistency across activities: athletes currently have strict eligibility rules and committee members asked whether academic eligibility for clubs and academic competitions should match athletic standards or be more permissive. Kevin Kendro, who supervises extracurriculars and athletics, and Dr. Mirshaw, director of high schools, described the existing practice of applying eligibility criteria and urged clearer cross-references to handbooks.
The committee also raised equity and funding concerns: members noted that some activities rely heavily on booster or parent fundraising (for example, marching band costs) and that transportation and fees can create unequal access. Staff said the extracurricular and booster handbooks, and the athletic handbook, will be aligned with policy language.
On conduct and safety, staff described procedures for handling discriminatory or egregious behavior at athletic contests: officials stop play under national rules, notify coaches and administrators, and an immediate joint investigation follows; ejections can lead to minimum contest suspensions and required education modules. Committee members praised existing practices and asked staff to ensure those procedures are reflected consistently in policy and regulations.
Next steps: staff will revise Policy 509 to correct grade-level language, clarify eligibility standards across activity types, add references to unified/adaptive programming, and align the policy with athletic/extracurricular handbooks and booster guidance for transparency.
