The Governing Board recognizes that the district's athletic program constitutes an integral component of the educational program and helps to build a positive school climate. The athletic program also promotes the physical, social, and emotional well-being and character development of participating students. The athletic program shall be designed to meet students' interests and abilities and shall be varied in scope to attract wide participation.
(cf. 3541.1 - Transportation for School-Related Trips)
(cf. 5030 - Student Wellness)
(cf. 5137 - Positive School Climate)
(cf. 6142.7 - Physical Education and Activity)
(cf. 7110 - Facilities Master Plan)
All athletic teams shall be supervised by qualified coaches to ensure that student athletes receive appropriate instruction and guidance related to safety, health, sports skills, and sportsmanship. Athletic events shall be officiated by qualified personnel.
(cf. 4127/4227/4327 - Temporary Athletic Team Coaches)
The Board encourages business and community support for district athletic programs, subject to applicable district policies and regulations governing advertisements and donations.
(cf. 1260 - Educational Foundation)
(cf. 1321 - Solicitation of Funds from and by Students)
(cf. 1325 - Advertising and Promotion)
(cf. 1700 - Relations Between Private Industry and the Schools)
(cf. 3290 - Gifts, Grants and Bequests)
Nondiscrimination and Equivalent Opportunities in the Athletic Program
The district's athletic program shall be free from discrimination and discriminatory practices prohibited by state and federal law. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that equivalent athletic opportunities are provided for males and females.
(cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)
(cf. 5145.3 - Nondiscrimination/Harassment)
(cf. 5145.7 - Sexual Harassment)
Any complaint regarding the district's athletic program shall be filed in accordance with the district's uniform complaint procedures.
(cf. 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures)
Student Eligibility
Eligibility requirements for participation in the district's interscholastic athletic program, including requirements pertaining to academic achievement and residency, shall be the same as those set by the district for participation in extracurricular and cocurricular activities.
(cf. 3530 - Risk Management/Insurance)
(cf. 5111.1 - District Residency)
(cf. 5121 - Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)
(cf. 6145 - Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities)
(cf. 6146.1 - High School Graduation Requirements)
(cf. 6162.52 - High School Exit Examination)
(cf. 6173.1 - Education for Foster Youth)
(cf. 6173.2 - Education of Children of Military Families)
Sportsmanship
The Board values the quality and integrity of the athletic program and the character development of student athletes. Student athletes, coaches, parents/guardians, spectators, and others are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play during all athletic competitions. They shall also abide by the core principles of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship and the Codes of Conduct adopted by CIF.
Students and staff may be subject to disciplinary action for improper conduct.
(cf. 3515.2 - Disruptions)
(cf. 4118 - Suspension/Disciplinary Action)
(cf. 4218 - Dismissal/Suspension/Disciplinary Action)
(cf. 5131 - Conduct)
(cf. 5131.1 - Bus Conduct)
(cf. 5131.4 - Student Disturbances)
(cf. 5144 - Discipline)
(cf. 5144.1 - Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process)
(cf. 5144.2 - Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process (Individuals with Disabilities))
Health and Safety
The Board desires to give student health and safety the highest consideration in planning and conducting athletic activities.
Students shall have a medical clearance before participating in interscholastic athletic programs. Care shall be taken to ensure that all athletic trainings and competitions are conducted in a manner that will not overtax the physical capabilities of the participants. When appropriate, protective equipment shall be used to prevent or minimize injuries.
(cf. 5131.61 - Drug Testing)
(cf. 5131.63 - Steroids)
(cf. 5141.3 - Health Examinations)
(cf. 5141.6 - School Health Services)
(cf. 5141.7 - Sun Safety)
(cf. 5143 - Insurance)
Coaches and appropriate district employees shall take every possible precaution to ensure that athletic equipment is kept in safe and serviceable condition. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that all athletic equipment is cleaned and inspected for safety before the beginning of each school year.
(cf. 5142 - Safety)
In the event that an injury occurs, the coach or other appropriate district employee shall observe universal precautions and shall remove the student athlete from the activity and/or seek medical treatment for the student as appropriate.
(cf. 4119.42/4219.42/4319.42 - Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens)
(cf. 4119.43/4219.43/4319.43 - Universal Precautions)
(cf. 5141 - Health Care and Emergencies)
(cf. 5141.21 - Administering Medication and Monitoring Health Conditions)
(cf. 5141.22 - Infectious Diseases)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
200-262.4 Prohibition of discrimination
270-271 Athletes' Bill of Rights
17578 Cleaning and sterilizing of football equipment
17580-17581 Football equipment
32221.5 Required insurance for athletic activities
33353-33353.5 California Interscholastic Federation; implementation of policies, insurance program
33354 California Department of Education authority over interscholastic athletics
35160.5 District policies; rules and regulations
35179 Interscholastic athletics
48850 Interscholastic athletics; students in foster care
48900 Grounds for suspension and expulsion
48930-48938 Student organizations
49020-49023 Athletic programs; legislative intent, equal opportunity
49030-49034 Performance-enhancing substances
49458 Health examinations, interscholastic athletic program
49475 Health and safety, concussions and head injuries
49700-49701 Education of children of military families
51242 Exemption from physical education for high school students in interscholastic athletic program
PENAL CODE
245.6 Hazing
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
4900-4965 Nondiscrimination in elementary and secondary education programs, especially:
4920-4922 Nondiscrimination in intramural, interscholastic, and club activities
5531 Supervision of extracurricular activities of students
5590-5596 Employment of noncertificated coaches
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
1681-1688 Discrimination based on sex or blindness, Title IX
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 34
106.31 Nondiscrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities
106.33 Comparable facilities
106.41 Nondiscrimination in athletic programs
COURT DECISIONS
Mansourian v. Regents of University of California, (2010) 594 F. 3d 1095
Kahn v. East Side Union High School District, (2004) 31 Cal. 4th 990t
McCormick v. School District of Mamaroneck, (2004) 370 F.3d 275
Hartzell v. Connell, (1984) 35 Cal. 3d 899
Management Resources:
CSBA PUBLICATIONS
Student Fees Litigation Update, Education Legal Alliance Advisory, May 20, 2011
A School Board Member's Guide to CIF and Interscholastic Sports, 1997
CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION PUBLICATIONS
California Interscholastic Federation Constitution and Bylaws
A Guide to Equity in Athletics
Acute Concussion Evaluation (ACE) Care Plan, 2006
Pursuing Victory with Honor, 1999
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION PUBLICATIONS
Heads Up: Concussion in High School Sports, Tool Kit, June 2010
Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports, Tool Kit, July 2007
OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
Intercollegiate Athletics Policy Clarification: The Three-Part Test - Part Three, Dear Colleague letter, April 20, 2010
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Department of Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov
California Interscholastic Federation: http://www.cifstate.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Concussion Resources: http://www.cdc.gov/concussion
National Federation of State High School Associations: http://www.nfhs.org
National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment: http://www.nocsae.org
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency: http://www.usada.org
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights: http://www2.ed.gov/ocr
Policy BELLEVUE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: June 7, 2013 Santa Rosa, California