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Homeschool families urge clearer policy after board hearing; policy committee to review
Summary
A Jacksonville resident told the school board Policy 7:40 is confusing for homeschool families and 'contradictory to IHSA'; the board scheduled further work at a policy committee meeting on April 29 to consider changes affecting extracurricular eligibility.
At the April 22 Board of Education meeting, visitor Sissy Brown asked the board to clarify Policy 7:40 so homeschooled students can more easily participate in district extracurricular activities. Brown told the board the policy "is not clear and contradictory to IHSA and the current policy" and asked the district to update language and participation rules.
Homeschool student Lilly Brown spoke about her own desire to join extracurriculars in Jacksonville School District 117. Assistant Superintendent Matt Moore and board members discussed options, including whether nonpublic students should be ineligible or whether participation should require enrollment in full‑time classes. The board scheduled additional review at the policy committee meeting on April 29 to consider an amendment to Policy 7:40.
The discussion referenced the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) standards as a point of comparison; no formal policy change was adopted at the meeting. The public comment and the scheduled committee discussion make Policy 7:40 a near‑term agenda item for the board.
