2431 - INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS

The School Board of Polk County

Bylaws & Policies

Unless a specific policy has been amended and the date the policy was revised is noted at the bottom of that policy, the bylaws and policies of The School Board of Polk County were adopted on November 12, 2013 and were in effect beginning November 12, 2013.

2431 - INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS

The School Board recognizes the value of interscholastic athletics and the positive impact sports have on students. A program of interscholastic athletics for students is an integral part of the total school experience and benefits the community as a whole.

The program should foster the growth of school loyalty within the student body as a whole and stimulate community interest in athletics. Participation in the District's interscholastic athletics programs by a student is a privilege, not a right.

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 from high schools in this District with those from a high school in another district.

Since the primary purpose of the interscholastic athletics 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, rather than on winning, particularly at sub-varsity levels. No student shall be excused from a class or supervised study for an extended period of time to participate in interscholastic athletics.

An interscholastic contest is any competition between organized teams or individuals of different schools in a sport recognized by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), and therefore shall be subject to all regulations pertaining to such contests. The interscholastic athletics program shall be considered an essential part of the total school program and shall be under the principal's direction and general supervision. The principal shall select the personnel to direct and to act as coaches and advisors.

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 District alone. It should also offer an opportunity for career and educational development. The game activities and practice sessions should provide many opportunities to teach the values of competition and good sportsmanship.

Appropriate adult supervision consistent with Florida law shall be provided to all students.

Eligibility and Regulation

All high schools shall be members of the FHSAA and governed by its rules and regulations. All District students (including transfer students) shall satisfy the eligibility requirements established by the FHSAA, Florida law, Board Policy 2431.01 and Policy 5610.05.

Students enrolled in a private school or educated at home may be permitted to participate in a District interscholastic or intrascholastic sport and must fulfill the same academic and nonacademic requirements as any other participant.

The Principal of each school shall be responsible for determining each participant's eligibility pursuant to State law, the rules of this Board, and the bylaws of the FHSAA. Any school that allows an ineligible student to participate shall be subject to the penalties set forth in Florida law and the bylaws of the FHSAA (see also Policy 2431.01).

The Board follows FHSAA bylaws and policies which further directs that only those students may participate in the program of interscholastic athletics who maintained an unweighted cumulative 2.0 GPA for all courses taken since entering the 9th grade; attends school regularly; and/or demonstrates good citizenship, responsibility, and good sportsmanship.

The Superintendent follows the FHSAA bylaws and policies and shall develop appropriate administrative procedures for the operation of the interscholastic athletics program. Such regulations should provide for the following safeguards:

	A.	Prior to any type of participation (including summer workouts, conditioning, open facilities, tryouts, and/or practices) each participant shall submit to a thorough physical examination by an approved physician; and parents shall report any past or current health problems along with a physician's statement that any such problems have or are being treated and pose no threat to the student's participation. Physicals must be dated June 1st or later of the current school year.
	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. Pursuant to F.S. 1006.20(2)(d), the Board shall not be liable for any student with a health condition who has been authorized to play by the parent(s) if the parent(s) of the student objects in writing to the student undergoing a medical evaluation because such evaluation is contrary to his/her religious tenets or practices.
	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.	Prior to any type of participation, each participant shall submit a completed and signed Athletic Participation Permission Form, a Physical Examination Form, and the Heat Related/Concussion Awareness Form to the high school athletic director.
	E.	In order to minimize health and safety risks to student-athletes and maintain ethical standards, school personnel, coaches, athletic trainers, and lay coaches should never dispense, supply, recommend, or permit the use of any drug, medication, or food supplement solely for performance-enhancing purposes.
	F.	The Superintendent and Principals will require that sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity characterize the manner in which the athletic program is conducted and the actions of students who participate.

In order to support the FHSAA's program to strengthen sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity, the Board and Superintendent commits 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.	reinforce the concept that participation in 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 recognize participants, coaches, school administrators, and fans who display good sportsmanship;
	E.	recognize the value of school athletic activities as a vital part of education.

Recruiting Prohibited/Penalties

The Board recognizes that the recruitment of student athletes is strictly prohibited by F.S. 1006.20. The FHSAA, through its bylaws, has prescribed penalties, sanctions and an appeals process for athletic recruiting violations. These penalties and sanctions may be applied by the FHSAA against a member school, student athletes, and coaches. In addition to FHSAA penalties and sanctions, District employees found to have engaged in the improper recruitment of a student athlete may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

A student may not be declared ineligible based on violation of recruiting rules unless the student or parent has falsified any enrollment or eligibility document or accepted any benefit or any promise of benefit if such benefit is not generally available to the school’s students or family members or is based in any way on athletic interest, potential, or performance.

Eligibility Appeals

If the Principal determines that a transfer student is ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics, a student may submit an appeal in accordance with Florida law and the FHSAA’s bylaws.

F.S. 1002.20
F.S. 1006.15
F.S. 1006.195
F.S. 1006.20

Revised 8/22/17
Revised 1/22/19