Caldwell-West board amends policy so failing grades alone won’t bar students from extracurriculars

The Caldwell-West School District board approved a change to Policy 5600 on Monday that states academic issues ‘‘i.e., failing one or more classes, shall not be used as the basis for excluding a student from participating in extracurricular activities or events.’

Terry, who presented the policy committee report, said the committee met on Aug. 19 with Dr. Conlin and staff to align middle-school practice with the high school. The change is intended to ensure students who are making efforts and receiving supports are not automatically excluded from extracurricular activities solely because of grades.

During public comment, several parents and residents expressed concern that the revision could weaken academic incentives. A parent asked what incentives a student would have to improve if participation were preserved despite multiple failing grades; the board and administration responded that behavioral problems and lack of engagement remain valid grounds for exclusion and that the policy change does not remove support, interventions, or principal discretion.

Administration also noted the middle school’s code of conduct has already been updated to reflect the policy and that club offerings can expand under revised teacher-contract provisions; the administration said new clubs can be created when students and a supervising teacher propose them and that the district will publicize the revised rules and related implementation guidance.

The board approved policy items by roll-call vote as part of the evening’s agenda. The motion to approve items A and B under Policy, which includes the Policy 5600 amendment, passed with recorded affirmative votes from the board members present. The board directed administration to update the middle-school code of conduct and provide guidance to building administrators on implementing the revised standard.