6700.2: Interscholastic Athletics and Activities - Approval Procedures & Criteria

I. Interscholastic Athletics and Activities

Interscholastic athletics and activities programs shall be established for both sexes and all such programs shall be sanctioned by and be in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Nebraska School Activities Association, the National Federation of State High School Associations, and the policies and rules of the District.

II. Student Participation and Eligibility

A. In compliance with the rules established by the Nebraska School Activities Association, the principal or designee has the responsibility for determining the eligibility of students.

B. It shall be the responsibility of the coach to determine which candidates shall be members of the team.

C. Standards for participation, conduct, and personal appearances shall be established by the coaches and such standards shall be reasonable and consistent with the philosophy and goals established by the District. In the case of any dispute, the principal or designee shall be responsible for resolving the dispute.

D. All participating students shall meet the requirements, rules and regulations established by the Nebraska School Activities Association, the National Federation of State High School Associations, and the District.

III. Approval Procedures and Criteria for New Interscholastic Sports and Activities

A. All interscholastic sports and activities shall obtain approval for adoption by the District in accordance with the following procedures and criteria.

1. An Interscholastic Sports and Activities application form shall be completed by the school principal or designee and submitted to the District Activities Committee.

2. When reviewing the application for an interscholastic sport or activity, the District Activities Committee and the Board of Education shall evaluate the following considerations and criteria. Whether the interscholastic sport or activity:

a. Can be conducted in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Nebraska School Activities Association and the District.

b. Will meet a strong student interest which is not being met by the District or other community sports or activity programs.

c. Is appropriate for the knowledge level, intellectual maturity, competence, and age of the students.

d. Has potential for growth.

e. Will equalize the opportunities for girls and boys and meet the intent of Title IX.

f. Provides adequate opportunity for participation and competition.

g. Duplicates the general purposes of an existing interscholastic sport or activity offered by the District or other community sports or activities offerings.

h. Given the number and nature of interscholastic sports and activities in the District and community, it is appropriate to add the interscholastic sport or activity.

i. The season in which the interscholastic sport or activity would be held allows for adequate participation and competition, given the weather and geographical conditions.

j. Adequate facilities are available for the interscholastic sports or adding a newly sanctioned interscholastic sport or activity should not overburden existing facilities.

k. Adequate funding is available for the newly sanctioned interscholastic sport or activity. Funding should not be diverted from existing interscholastic sports or activities to create new ones. All funding requirements, including start up and annual operation costs, must be considered.

l. Qualified and competent coaches and staff are available.

IV. Coaches

A. All interscholastic sports and activities must have a coach or sponsor who is a District certificated staff member or selected community member who meets District and Nebraska School Activities Association requirements. 

B. An assignment as a coach or sponsor of interscholastic sports and activities is an annual appointment. One (1) activity stipend may be issued to a District certificated staff member or selected community member who meets District and Nebraska School Activities Association requirements for interscholastic sports and activities, in accordance with budgeting procedures. When unanticipated participation occurs, as determined by the Superintendent or designee upon request from a school, an additional interscholastic activity stipend per season may be issued for an additional coach or sponsor for only the current school year upon approval by the Superintendent or designee. The funds used for this additional interscholastic activity stipend must come from budgets already allotted to the school by the District and cannot come from other funds or resources of the school. Any such additional stipends will terminate at the end of the current school year. With the approval of the principal or designee, two (2) or more District certificated staff members may be allowed to split an activity stipend for an interscholastic athletic program or extracurricular activity.

V. Review and Discontinuance

A. The District Activities Committee shall regularly review the interscholastic sports and activities and the District Activities Committee may recommend to the Superintendent that any interscholastic sport or activity be discontinued. Recommendations for discontinuance shall be forwarded to and processed by the Board of Education in the manner provided above for interscholastic sports or activities.

B. The Board of Education may on its own initiative, review and discontinue any interscholastic sport or activity.