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Parents and coaches urge board to reverse decision to end homeschool student athletics access
Summary
Parents, a coach and homeschool families told the West Milford board on May 19 that a decision made last September to phase out homeschool student participation in school athletics will hurt families and teams; a coach's letter and multiple speakers asked the board to reconsider and to consult affected families.
Several parents and at least one high‑school coach urged the West Milford Township Public School District board on May 19 to reconsider a policy change that will end participation in school athletics for homeschool students by 2028.
Jeff Riley (speaker 11) said his family chose homeschooling for part of their children’s education and was disappointed to learn the board decided last September to discontinue homeschool participation in athletics, and he offered to help research options that might preserve the opportunity. Becky Neshala (speaker 23) read a letter from Ray Ferriola, the head boys soccer coach, praising homeschooled athletes as contributors to a string of successful seasons and asking the board not to remove their access.
Why it matters: speakers said homeschooled athletes have been meaningful contributors to Highlanders teams and to student social opportunities. "It felt like a slap in the face," one parent said after describing that families were not contacted about the change. Speakers urged the board to provide transparency about why the change was made, to explain whether alternatives were considered, and to allow affected students a choice.
Board response: a district administrator offered to meet with parents and schedule follow‑up conversations. The transcript records the administrator saying they appreciated the speaker's outreach and encouraged parents with direct questions to contact the administration for a meeting to discuss the rationale behind the decision.
Next steps: the transcript records a pledge by district staff to follow up with parents who asked for more information; no public reversal or formal vote on the athletic participation policy was recorded during the open meeting.
