MJUSD
DIVISION 6000
INSTRUCTION
ATHLETIC COMPETITION
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 be varied in scope to attract wide participation.
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.
The Board encourages business and community support for district athletic programs, subject to applicable district policies and regulations governing advertisements and donations.
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.
Any complaint regarding the district's athletic program shall be filed in accordance with the district's uniform complaint procedures.
California Interscholastic Federation
The Board maintains membership in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and requires that interscholastic athletic activities be conducted in accordance with Board policy, administrative regulations, and CIF bylaws and rules. The Superintendent or designee shall have responsibility for the District's interscholastic athletic program, while the principal or designee at each participating school shall be responsible for site-level decisions, as appropriate.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, 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 student learning, interscholastic and extra-curricular 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 the district representatives to CIF report regularly to the Board on league, section, and statewide issues, as well as activities and prospective actions related to athletic programs.
Student Eligibility
Eligibility requirements for participation in the district 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 curricular activities.
In addition, the Superintendent or designee shall ensure that students participating in interscholastic athletics governed by CIF satisfy CIF eligibility requirements.
Students must agree to and participate in weekly COVID testing to be eligible for District sports programs.
Academic Probation
Students who do not achieve the required grade point average (GPA) to participate in sports may remain eligible under “Academic Probation”. Academic Probation will not last longer than one semester in length. For the purpose of determining the maximum length of a semester, the measurement shall be the average of the semesters during the given school year that probation occurs. Students may use academic probation once during the 2021/2022 school year due to the impacts of COVID-19. For subsequent school years, students may use academic probation one time during their 9th-12th grade school years. Beyond the 2021/2022 school year, once a student utilizes academic probation, they may not do so again.
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, the school, and the individual athletic teams.
Students and staff may be subject to disciplinary action for improper conduct.
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 the interscholastic athletic program.
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.
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.
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.
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 CDE 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
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 non-certificated coaches
United States Code, Title 20
1681-1688 Discrimination based on sex or blindness, Title IX
Governing Board Adoption: 8/11/21