Chico Unified schedules athletics workshop, votes to agendaize lacrosse discussion after public comment on exchange students

The Chico Unified School District board on July 30 suspended the rules to move a board-request item forward and unanimously voted to add a future discussion about the potential to add lacrosse as an extracurricular offering. The board explained the agendaization is intended to allow staff to present feasibility and operational details before any decision.

At the same meeting the board reviewed and unanimously adopted the 2025–26 board workshop calendar. Staff proposed, and trustees approved, workshop dates and topics that include a technology/Chromebook presentation (Sept. 3), an athletic programming and sports offerings workshop (Oct. 1) that will explicitly include lacrosse outreach, a school-safety/SRO discussion (Nov. 5), CASP data (Feb. 4), governance/community partners (May 6), and the LCAP (June 24). Members volunteered or were assigned as board liaisons for specific workshops; staff will contact community lacrosse organizers about the Oct. 1 workshop.

During public comment earlier in the meeting, Joshua Wilkins introduced himself and asked the district to consider additional foreign-exchange programs and flexibility so visiting exchange students can participate in athletics and extracurriculars. Wilkins said he and his family had hosted exchange students through U.S. State Department-sponsored programs (YES and FLEX) and urged the board to consider accommodations so those students can join teams and activities.

Member H made the motion to agendaize the lacrosse discussion; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The board did not adopt any change to athletic eligibility rules at the meeting — it scheduled a workshop and requested staff follow-up and outreach before any policy action.