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Board reviews tightened athletic handbook rules on eligibility, parent‑coach contacts and vaping
Summary
The board discussed revisions to the athletic handbook that centralize parent‑coach disputes through the athletic director, relax some eligibility thresholds to keep small teams active and maintain strict vaping penalties that can result in OSS and team removal.
The athletic handbook revisions were presented to the board and include new procedures for parent‑coach communications, changes to eligibility rules and clearer disciplinary consequences for student athletes.
The athletic director said parents should contact the athletic director to set up meetings with coaches rather than approaching coaches directly: "You must contact the athletic director to set up any meeting or discussion with the coach," the athletic director said, arguing the approach allows administrators to hear both sides and manage disputes. The director also described policy language intended to remove ambiguity about playing time and to protect coaches from unmediated confrontations.
On eligibility, the athletic director told the board the district is struggling with small team sizes and proposed allowing one failing semester grade rather than the stricter rule that would render teams ineligible; he framed the change as a way to avoid canceling seasons when a single student is academically ineligible. Board members discussed tutoring and team‑based academic supports as ways to keep students eligible.
The handbook retains strict vaping and disciplinary language for athletes. Board members described examples of punishments tied to OSS and ISS and discussed consistency in enforcement; the athletic director emphasized he wants policies followed as written to avoid ad hoc exceptions that could hurt teams.
The board did not vote to adopt a final revised handbook in the public session; members indicated they support the revisions in principle and asked staff to ensure consistent application and to clarify any contract language that may overlap with board policy.
