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Jordan school board approves Harriman High track team’s extra national trip in 4–3 vote amid calls to clarify travel policy
Summary
The Jordan School District Board approved an exception allowing selected Harriman High track athletes to attend a second out‑of‑state competition (Portland, April 23–25), 4–3, after debate over precedent, missed school days and liability. Members agreed to revisit policy AA414 for clarity.
The Jordan School District Board of Education on March 24 approved an exception allowing a select group of Harriman High School track athletes to compete in a national meet in Portland, Oregon, April 23–25, despite objections from three board members who said the decision sets a risky precedent.
Brad Sorenson and Thomas Gatton presented the request, saying the Portland meet would be limited to qualifiers and would give athletes a rare chance to compete nationally. Sorenson said families and team fundraising were covering about half the trip’s cost and that the district’s outside costs would be minimal. "This is a national tournament that they would not have at the level within the state of Utah," Gatton said, urging approval so qualifying athletes could gain experience and set higher qualifying marks.
Board discussion focused on two recurring concerns: academic impact and policy precedent. Administrators noted the Utah High School Activities (UHSA) eligibility rules require a minimum 2.0 GPA and no more than one F to compete; district staff said coaches and teachers typically coordinate to help students keep up with assignments on trip days. Board chair raised the procedural worry that allowing a second trip for the same team after the season already includes another approved exception risks "snowballing" additional exceptions in future seasons.
Other board members cited safety and liability considerations. One member said increasing the number and distance of overnight trips "statistically increases the risk" to students while another argued that, practically, sending students with coaches and chaperones is safer than having them try to attend independently.
After further debate, board member Mr. Dunford moved to approve the request; Dr. Robinson seconded. The motion carried 4–3. The board recorded the three opposing votes as coming from Ms. George, Ms. Dean and Ms. W. The board did not name all members voting yes in the public record that followed the roll call.
Several members asked staff to return to the board with clarified policy language. The board agreed there was interest in revisiting administrative policy AA414 (student overnight travel) to define whether multiple exceptions in a single season should be allowed and to tighten related wording. Board members discussed returning the item to a study session or forming an ad hoc panel for policy revisions; they tentatively scheduled more discussion to occur at an upcoming meeting and directed staff to collect options and draft potential language.
The approved Portland trip remains scheduled for April 23–25; speakers said final athlete selection depends on qualifying times at upcoming meets.
