Board Policy

BP 6145.2

Instruction

Athletic Competition

The Board of Education recognizes that the athletic program constitutes an integral component of the educational program, providing participants with an opportunity to promote physical well-being, enhance self-confidence, build school spirit and promote a positive school climate while learning values such as teamwork and sportsmanship. The athletic program shall be designed to meet students' interests and abilities and be varied in scope to attract wide participation.

(cf. 1230 - School-Connected Organizations)

(cf. 1321 - Solicitation of Funds from and by Students)

(cf. 3100 - Budget)

(cf. 3452 - Student Activity Funds)

(cf. 3530 - Risk Management/Insurance)

(cf. 3541.1 - Transportation for School-Related Trips)

(cf. 5137 - Positive School Climate)

(cf. 6142.7 - Physical Education)

(cf. 7110 - Facilities Master Plan)

Sportsmanship

The Board supports the ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play and commits the district to providing an environment which promotes good sportsmanship.

The Board expects athletes, coaches, spectators and others to demonstrate good sportsmanship during all athletic competition. Students and staff are responsible for maintaining sportsmanlike behavior at all times and may be subject to disciplinary action for improper conduct.

The district shall adopt and implement appropriate guidelines and rules related to sportsmanship, citizenship and behavior at athletic contests.

(cf. 4118 - Suspension/Disciplinary Action)

(cf. 4218 - Dismissal/Suspension/Disciplinary Action)

(cf. 5131.4 - Campus Disturbances)

(cf. 5144 - Discipline)

Equivalent Opportunity

The district interscholastic athletic program and activities shall be free from discrimination and discriminatory practices in accordance with state and federal law. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that equivalent opportunities for both genders are provided.

The Board encourages all interested students to participate in the athletic program and try out for teams.

(cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)

(cf. 5145.3 - Nondiscrimination/Harassment)

(cf. 5145.7 - Sexual Harassment)

California Interscholastic Federation

The Board maintains membership in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and requires that interscholastic athletic activities be conducted according to Board and CIF rules, regulations and policies. The Superintendent or designee shall have responsibility for the district interscholastic athletic program while the principal or designee at each participating school shall be responsible for site-level decisions as appropriate.

The Board shall annually designate an employee from each high school to serve as a representative to the local CIF league. Appointees shall represent the district in performing all duties required by the CIF league. In making this selection, the Board shall consider the employee's understanding of the district's goals for interscholastic and extracurricular activities, knowledge of the athletic programs, awareness of the implications of league decisions for the school and the district, and individual interpersonal communication and leadership skills.

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that CIF representatives report regularly to the Board on league, section and statewide issues, as well as activities and prospective actions related to athletics.

Student Eligibility

Participation in the district interscholastic athletic program is limited to those students who maintain minimum progress toward completing district graduation requirements, maintain the required grade point average established by the Board for participation in extracurricular and cocurricular activities and meet other district and CIF eligibility requirements.

(cf. 5111.1 - District Residency)

(cf. 5111.11 - Residency of Students With Caregiver)

(cf. 5116.1 - Intradistrict Open Enrollment)

(cf. 5117 - Interdistrict Attendance)

(cf. 5117.1 - Interdistrict Attendance Agreements)

(cf. 5117.2 - Alternative Interdistrict Attendance Program)

(cf. 5118 - Transfers)

(cf. 5121 - Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)

(cf. 5144.1 - Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process)

(cf. 6145 - Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities)

Health and Safety

The Board desires to give student health and safety the highest consideration in planning and conducting athletic activities. Universal precautions shall be observed when injuries occur.

(cf. 4119.42/4219.42/4319.42 - Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens)

(cf. 4119.43/4219.43/4319.43 - Universal Precautions)

(cf. 5141.1 - Accidents)

(cf. 5141.21 Administering Medication and Monitoring Health Conditions)

(cf. 5141.23 - Infectious Disease Prevention)

Students shall have a medical clearance before participating in the interscholastic athletic program.

(cf. 5131.61 - Drug Testing)

(cf. 5131.63 - Anabolic Steroids)

(cf. 5141.3 - Health Examinations)

Care shall be taken to ensure that all athletic training and competition is conducted in a manner which will not overtax the physical capabilities of the participants. When appropriate, protective equipment shall be used to prevent or minimize injuries.

(cf. 5143 - Insurance)

Supervision

All athletic teams shall be supervised by qualified coaches to ensure that student athletes receive appropriate instruction and guidance related to safety, health, training and preparation for competition. Athletic events shall be officiated by qualified personnel.

(cf. 4127/4227/4327 - Temporary Athletic Team Coaches)

Legal Reference:

EDUCATION CODE

200-261 Prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex

17580-17581 Football equipment

33353-33353.5 California Interscholastic Federation; implementation of policies, insurance program

33354 CDE authority over interscholastic athletics

35160.5 District policies; rules and regulations

35161 Powers and duties generally

35179 Interscholastic athletics

48930-48938 Student organizations

49020-49023 Athletic programs; legislative intent, equal opportunity, apportionment, prohibited sex discrimination

CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5

4900-4962 Nondiscrimination in elementary and secondary education programs receiving state financial assistance

5531 Supervision of extracurricular activities of pupils

5590-5596 Employment of noncertificated coaches

UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20

1681-1688 Discrimination based on sex or blindness, Title IX

COURT DECISIONS

Hartzell v. Connell, (1984) 35 Cal. 3d 899

Management Resources:

CSBA PUBLICATIONS

A Board Member's Guide to CIF and Interscholastic Sports

CIF PUBLICATIONS

California Interscholastic Federation Constitution and Bylaws, 1996-97

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS

Rules on Bleeding Players

Policy PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

adopted: March 8, 2001 Palos Verdes Estates, California