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.

For purposes of this policy, the program of interscholastic athletics shall include all activities relating to competitive sport contests, games, events, or sport exhibitions involving individual students or teams of students of this District with those of another district.

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 addition to the eligibility requirements established by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, to be eligible for any interscholastic extra-curricular activity, a student must have maintained at least a 1.0 grade-point average for the grading period prior to the grading period in which s/he wishes to participate.

If a student who becomes ineligible under these standards improves his/her grade point average during the current grading period to meet the eligibility standard, s/he may be reinstated at the beginning of the next grading period.

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.

No student shall be excused from a class or supervised study for an extended period of time to participate in interscholastic athletics.

The Board further directs that only those students may participate in the program of interscholastic athletics who have:

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 solely for performance-enhancing purposes. 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:

The Superintendent shall develop appropriate administrative guidelines for the operation of the Athletic Program and a Code of Conduct for those who participate.

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).

Revised 1/28/08