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Commission debates limiting East Basketball Club registration to district residents and students
Summary
Staff told the commission the East Basketball Club pilot had about 110 participants and cost roughly $450; staff proposed restricting registration to East Grand Rapids residents, students inside district boundaries, and school‑choice enrollees to preserve spots for local students and align with the vertical-alignment pilot.
Derek briefed the commission on the East Basketball Club — a vertical-alignment pilot collaboration with East Grand Rapids Public Schools designed to offer a club-level basketball track at a lower price than private clubs. He said the program had "approximately a 110 kids" participate last season and that the club fee was about $450, compared with private clubs that might charge closer to $2,000.
Because the program is limited in roster spots and uses tryouts, Derek recommended limiting registration to East Grand Rapids residents, students who live inside the East Grand Rapids Public Schools boundaries and nonresidents who attend the district through school choice. Commissioners raised two main concerns: (1) clarity for families about which clubs are city‑run versus privately run, and (2) potential legal exposure if a city‑run program limits participation. One commissioner asked whether legal review had been completed, asking specifically, "Is there any concern for discrimination by limiting it to certain, you know, students who are either, you know, in the GRPS school system or residents?" Derek said city programs already limit some offerings to residents and staff will ensure policy compliance and consult legal counsel as needed. The commission did not adopt a formal exclusion policy at the meeting but directed staff to proceed with policy development and legal review.
