USD 235 board to address athletic policy

UNIONTOWN, Kan. -- The USD 235 Board of Education has a short agenda to address on Monday, including a possible approval of the district athletic policy for the 2006-'07 school year.

During their regular meeting at the USD 235 Board of Education office, 402 Fifth St., board members will consider approving the district's athletic policy, including revisions to the policy that have been made over the last two years, Uniontown Junior Senior High School Principal Tracy Smith said. The policy is reviewed by the board each year, who must review any changes before they become official, Smith said.

"We do it every year, it's an annual thing," Smith said. "We tweak it every year -- there are no major changes (to the policy.)"

In 2004, board members approved one revision to the policy which states that athletic coaches and sponsors be contacted first about student-related issues before such matters are addressed by district administrators. A new revision involves student-athletes who have problems outside the classroom and how those situations are handled by school officials.

Parents of those student-athletes will receive written guidelines on what is expected of them before each athletic season begins.

Another possible revision involves how student-athletes find a way home after district-sponsored sports competition. Policy now allows student-athletes, with prior approval from the principal, to find another type of transportation home, other than transportation provided by the district. Many parents feel that those students should ride home with their teams following sports contests, as a means of relaxation and because it is more therapeutic, Smith has said.

In other business Monday, the board is scheduled to:

* Approve Kansas Association of School Boards Memberships for the 2006-'07 school year at a cost of $4,509, a KASB Legal Assistance Fund Membership for the 2006-07 school year at a cost of $1,100, and a subscription to the American School Board Journal for all board members and the superintendent for the 2006-'07 school year at a cost of $312.

* Listen to administrative reports from Smith, USD 235 Superintendent Randy Rockhold, and West Bourbon Elementary School Principal Marianna Daugherty on recent and upcoming school events. A report is also slated to be given on school handbooks for next year, a U-235 statement said.

An executive session is also scheduled for personnel matters.