AC considers changing ECA policy
For many students, the lessons learned within the classroom are only a chunk of their educational experience and many of the most important and influential lessons that they learn are distributed in extra-curricular activities. Whether it be sports, band, choir, drama, or one of the various academic competitions, the impact that they have on the poise and character of students is indescribable. Numerous homeschooled children in the county also take advantage of these programs.
At Adams Central, the current policy states that a student must participate in one class held at Adams Central to be able to participate in any of the extracurricular activities. There is now a proposed policy, which was introduced at the Tuesday night School Board meeting, going through its initial readings before being decided upon, that would require students to be at three instructional periods.
“While we are committed to giving our kids a Christian education, we have chosen to opt out of the public school system, however we value the training of the body and recognize the positive benefits of athletic competition as well as team sports,” said Gretchen Moser who offered a prepared public comment on the matter. “Being a taxpaying citizen and being unable to access any of the benefits simply because we do not want to utilize all the services seems like an injustice.”
Moser continued on to explain the difficulty that her students would have completing their accredited programs in time to make it to the multiple classes that they would be required to attend. Under the current policy, her son attends science class at the school to participate on the middle school basketball team. She also cautioned the school about the loss of homeschool extra-curricular participation if they were to go through with the policy.
“I have appreciated your mode of communication and your approach to this topic, because it is sensitive,” stated Adams Central Superintendent Joel Mahaffrey. “I really respect your family and how you are moving forward.” It was asked if there are any homeschool conglomerate teams that compile homeschool students from across the area, and Moser responded saying that there are not any around anymore.
Nothing was officially approved regarding the policy at the School Board meeting. The proposal will go through a second reading at the next school board meeting on Tuesday, March 14th., at which point the Board will have the opportunity to make a decision on the matter.