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Stevensville board asks administration to draft new guidance on 8th-graders playing up in high-school sports
Summary
After public comment and trustee debate about fairness, safety and transportation, the board asked the superintendent to draft updated guiding principles on when 8th graders may participate in high-school activities; no policy vote was taken Aug. 13.
Trustees discussed whether 8th graders should be routinely allowed to "play up" on high-school teams, a question prompted by recent approvals for girls' basketball, girls' soccer and cross country.
Administrators said the current approach results from guidance the board provided last year and is implemented administratively. Several trustees and public commenters, including parents and bus drivers, urged the district to consider broader allowance for 8th graders to try out for high-school activities; others raised concerns about physical maturity, impact on upperclassmen playing time, out-of-district transfers for athletics, and transportation logistics.
Superintendent and staff noted that some neighboring districts (Hamilton, Corvallis) are allowing broader 8th-grade participation under MHSA rules but that football remains restricted under MHSA. Public commenters pressed for equitable treatment for feeder schools (Lone Rock) and clarified that transportation and supervision would need planning if the board expands eligibility.
What trustees asked: The board requested that administration draft updated guiding principles that would: - Define which activities could allow 8th-grade participation and under what criteria; - Address equity for in-district and feeder schools; - Clarify procedures for coaches and bus/transport arrangements; and - Return the guidance for board consideration at a future meeting.
No formal policy change was adopted on Aug. 13; trustees emphasized they were open to removing unnecessary barriers if the administration's draft addresses safety and fairness.
Quote: "If you are gonna bring 8th graders up, you have to open it up to Lone Rock kids," a trustee said during public discussion, urging clear, consistent rules that treat feeders equitably.
Next steps: Administration will prepare draft guiding principles and present them to the board for a future action or discussion.
