Participation in school activities is a privilege. School activities provide the benefits of promoting additional interests and ability in the students during their school years and for their lifetime.
Students will have an opportunity to participate in a school activity unless the activity is not offered or the student cannot participate for disciplinary reasons. If the activity is an intramural or interscholastic athletic activity, students of the opposite sex will have a comparable opportunity for participation. Comparable opportunity does not guarantee boys and girls will be allowed to play on each other's teams when there are athletic activities available that will allow both boys and girls to reap the benefits of school activities, which are the promotion of additional interests and abilities in the students.
Student activity events must be approved by the superintendent unless they involve unusual travel expense, in which case the board will take action. The events must not disrupt the education program or other school district operations.
A high school student who participates in school sponsored athletics may participate in a non-school sponsored sport during the same season if outside of the regular school year.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for each school activity. These regulations will include, but not be limited to, when physical examinations will be required, how and when parents will be informed about the risk of the activity, academic requirements, and proof of insurance on the student participating in certain activities. Students wanting to participate in school activities must meet the requirements set out by the school district for participation in the activity.
Note: This is a mandatory policy. Boards must have a policy addressing the issue of nonschool athletic participation.
Legal Reference:
20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1683; 1685-1686.
34 C.F.R. Pt. 106.41
Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 280.13-.14.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(6), 12.6., 36.15(7).
Cross Reference:
501 Student Attendance
502 Student Rights and Responsibilities
503 Student Discipline
504 Student Activities
507 Student Health and Well-Being
Approved June 20, 2022 Reviewed Revised
