| Defiance City School District |
| Bylaws & Policies |
2431 - INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS
The Board of Education recognizes the value to the students of the District and to the community of a program of interscholastic athletics for students as an integral part of the total school experience.
The program should foster the growth of school loyalty within the student body as a whole and stimulate community interest in athletics.
The game activities and practice sessions should provide many opportunities to teach the values of competition and good sportsmanship.
The program of interscholastic athletics should provide students the opportunity to exercise and test their athletic abilities in a context greater and more varied than that which can be offered by a school or the School District alone. It should also offer an opportunity for career and educational development.
For purposes of this policy, the program of interscholastic athletics shall include all activities.
The Board shall approve a program of interscholastic athletics and shall require that all facilities utilized in that program, whether or not the property of this Board, properly safeguard both players and spectators and be kept free of hazardous conditions.
The Board shall determine the standards of eligibility to be met by all students participating in the interscholastic program. Such standards shall require that each student be in good physical condition, be free of injury, and have fully recovered from illness before participating in any interscholastic athletic event.
In order to be academically eligible for a sport in grades 9-12, a student must have passed five (5) full credit subjects (1/2 credit per semester) for the previous nine (9) week grading period (physical education does not count. S/He must have also received at least a 1.5 G.P.A. on a four point scale for the same grading period. If the student meets both criteria, s/he is eligible.
If the student does not pass the five (5) core subjects, they are ruled immediately ineligible. If the athlete does not meet the 1.5 G.P.A. requirements, s/he may still be ruled eligible if s/he:
| A. | has an overall accumulative G.P.A. of 1.5 or better on a four point scale | |
| B. | has a G.P.A. of at least 1.3 on a four point scale in the nine (9) weeks previous to the above mentioned nine (9) weeks. |
In order to be academically eligible for a sport in grades 7-8, a student must have a G.P.A. of 1.5 in the fourth quarter of their previous school year. Grades for eligibility during the school year are based upon each nine (9) week's grades. Twelve (12) week courses only figure into eligibility once they have been completed (i.e., computer, ind. tech., art, phys. ed., pop music, health, guidance). Students must have a G.P.A. of 1.5 to remain eligible. Summer school courses do not change the student's G.P.A. in accordance with O.H.S.A.A. guidelines.
Students identified as disabled under R.C. 3323 and the IDEA are subject to the eligibility standards established by this policy unless specifically exempted by the express terms of their individualized education program (IEP). An IEP can specify the criteria by which a grade will be determined for [a] course[s], given the individualized student’s disability.
Since the primary purpose of the athletic program is to enhance the education of participating students as indicated in this policy, the Board places top priority on maximum student participation and the values of good sportsmanship, team play, and fair competition.
The Board further adopts those eligibility standards set by the Constitution of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) and shall review such standards annually to ascertain that they continue to be in conformity with the objectives of this Board.
The Board further directs that only those students may participate in the program of interscholastic athletics who have:
| A. | maintained a satisfactory academic record; | |
| B. | attended school regularly; | |
| C. | demonstrated good citizenship and responsibility; | |
| D. | returned all school and athletic equipment. |
The Superintendent shall prepare, approve, and present to the Board for its consideration, a program of interscholastic athletics which shall include a complete schedule of events.
The Superintendent shall develop appropriate administrative guidelines for the operation of the Athletic Program and a Code of Conduct for those who participate. Such guidelines should provide for the following safeguards:
| A. | Prior to enrolling in the sport, each participant shall submit to a thorough physical examination by a District-approved physician; or parents licensed physician on District-approved form. | |
| B. | Any student who is found to have a health condition which may be life-threatening to self or others shall not be allowed to participate until the situation has been analyzed by a medical review panel that has determined the conditions under which the student may participate. The District shall assume no liability for any student with a health condition who has been authorized to play by the parents and their physician but not by the District. | |
| C. | Any student who incurs an injury requiring a physician's care is to have the written approval of a physician prior to the student's return to participation. | |
| D. | In order to minimize health and safety risks to student-athletes and maintain ethical standards, school personnel, coaches, athletic trainers, and lay coaches shall not dispense, supply, recommend, or permit the use of any drug, medication, or food supplement. The Superintendent shall cause to be posted in all locker rooms in buildings that include students in any grade higher than the sixth grade, the following: "Warning: Improper use of anabolic steroids may cause serious or fatal health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, growth deformities, infertility, personality changes, severe acne, and baldness. Possession, sale, or use of anabolic steroids without a valid prescription is a crime punishable by a fine and imprisonment." |
The Superintendent is also to develop guidelines for ensuring that sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity characterize the manner in which the athletic program is conducted and the actions of students who participate. Such guidelines should include:
| A. | criteria for judging these important qualities; | |
| B. | procedures by which these values will be communicated to students, parents, and supporters; | |
| C. | means for monitoring the behavior of each of these groups to ensure their behavior reflects high standards. |
The guidelines should also provide a set of behavioral expectations for each type of participant as well as a Sportsmanship Code of Conduct which each type of participant is to follow. The Superintendent is authorized to implement suitable disciplinary procedures against those who violate this Sportsmanship Code.
Students will be further informed that participation in interscholastic sports is a privilege and not a right, and that they may be prohibited from all or part of their participation in such activities by authorized school personnel without further notice, hearing and/or appeal rights (See Policy 5610.05 - Prohibition From Extra-Curricular Activities).
In order to support the High School Athletic Association's program to strengthen sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity, the Board commits itself to:
| A. | adopt policies (upon recommendation of the administration) which reflect the District's educational objectives and promote the ideals of good sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity; | |
| B. | establish standards for athletic participation which reinforce the concept that athletic activities are a privilege, not a right; | |
| C. | attend and enjoy school athletic activities, serving as a positive role model and expecting the same from parents, fans, participants, coaches, and other school personnel; | |
| D. | support and reward participants, coaches, school administrators, and fans who display good sportsmanship; | |
| E. | recognize the value of school athletic activities as a vital part of education. |
R.C. 2305.23, 2305.231, 3313.53, 3313.535, 3313.752, 3315.062
Ohio High School Athletic Association
Revised 4/17/00
Revised 6/9/03
Revised 2/25/08