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Homeschool parents press Franklin County board to allow extracurricular participation, cite safeguards and modest cost
Summary
Multiple homeschool families urged the Franklin County board to allow homeschooled students to participate in athletics and clubs, citing statewide eligibility safeguards, proposing pay-to-play or accountability measures, and presenting an estimated total cost of about $7,029 based on district calculations for participation.
Several homeschool parents and former district students urged the Franklin County school board May 11 to let homeschooled children participate in school extracurriculars and athletics, saying existing eligibility safeguards and accountability standards could address fairness concerns.
Britney Fernandez, a homeschool mother and former Franklin County teacher, said homeschool families "are not enemies, we are allies," and asked trustees to begin a conversation rooted in partnership rather than division. Heather McCullough and Kelly Markham argued for equal-access policies that set consistent academic and conduct standards for all participants.
Kelsey Paz cited statewide athletic association rules (referenced in testimony as IHSA/IHSAA) and said those guidelines exist to expand participation while preserving competitive fairness. Davey Allen, a veteran and homeschool parent, provided a cost analysis for allowing homeschool participation, estimating roughly $82.50 per child for the most expensive sport and a total estimated near $7,029 for the projected number of participants; he contrasted that figure with recent district spending on a new football field.
Board members thanked speakers, asked for a consolidated list of ages for homeschooled children, and said staff would follow up. No board action to change policy was taken at the meeting.
Why it matters: the topic involves district policy that would affect extracurricular access for a growing population of homeschool students and could influence participation rates, program funding and community engagement. Parents proposed accountability measures (academic eligibility, residency proof, conduct standards) and funding solutions (pay-to-play) rather than outright exclusion.
What the transcript shows: multiple speakers across the public-comment block presented consistent themes: homeschooled students should be eligible under the same standards as other non-public students already allowed to participate in some programs; safeguards exist or can be adopted; financial impact could be modest compared with existing expenditures; and families are willing to work with the district on solutions.
Next steps: Board members offered to gather demographic information and follow up with interested families; any formal policy change would require future agenda consideration and possible coordination with statewide eligibility rules.
