Instruction
Board Policy 6145.2
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 district's athletic program shall be designed to meet students' interests and abilities and shall be varied in scope to attract wide participation.
(cf. 3541.1 - Transportation for School-Related Trips)
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 Mountain View Whisman School District shall offer an athletic program free of discrimination due to one’s disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 422.55 of the Penal Code, including immigration status, equal rights, and opportunities in the educational institutions of the state.
The district’s athletic program shall be free from discrimination and discriminatory practices prohibited by state and federal law, including, but not limited to, the use of any racially derogatory or discriminatory school or athletic team name, mascot, or nickname. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that equivalent athletic opportunities are provided for males and females, and that students are permitted to participate in athletic activities consistent with their gender identity irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil’s records.
(cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)
(cf. 5145.3 - Nondiscrimination/Harassment)
(cf. 5145.7 - Sexual Harassment)
Any complaint alleging discrimination in the district’s athletic program shall be filed in accordance with the district's uniform complaint procedures.
(cf. 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures)
Student Eligibility
Eligibility requirements for student participation in the district’s interscholastic athletic program, including requirements pertaining to academic achievement, shall be the same as those set by the district for participation in extracurricular and cocurricular activities.
(cf. 5121 - Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)
(cf. 6145 - Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities)
Students shall not be charged a fee to participate in an athletic program, including, but not limited to, a fee to cover the cost of uniforms, locks, lockers, or athletic equipment.
(cf. 3260 - Fees and Charges)
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 at all times. They shall also abide by the core principles of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship.
Students and staff shall be subject to disciplinary action for improper conduct in accordance with District procedures.
(cf. 5144 - Discipline)
(cf. 5144.1 - Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process)
(cf. 5144.2 - Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process (Individuals with Disabilities)
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 interscholastic athletic programs. 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.
The Superintendent or designee shall develop a written emergency action plan that describes the location of automated external defibrillator(s) and procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest or other medical emergency related to the athletic program's activities or events. The plan shall be posted in accordance with guidelines of the National Federation of State High School Associations. (Education Code 35179.4)
In the event of a serious injury or a perceived imminent risk to a student's health during or immediately after an athletic activity, the coach or any other district employee who is present shall remove the student athlete from the activity, observe universal precautions in handling blood or other bodily fluid, and/or seek medical treatment for the student as appropriate.
Whenever a serious injury or illness is suffered by a student athlete, the Superintendent or designee shall notify the student's parent/guardian of the date, time, and extent of any injury or illness suffered by the student and any actions taken to treat the student as soon as practicable.
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
200-262.4 Prohibition of discrimination
17578 Cleaning and sterilizing of football equipment
17580-17581 Football equipment
32220-32224 Insurance for athletic teams, especially:
32221.5 Required insurance for athletic activities
33353-33353.5 California Interscholastic Federation; implementation of policies, insurance program
33354 California Department of Education authority over interscholastic athletics
33479-33479.9 The Eric Parades Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act
35160.5 District policies; rules and regulations
35179 Interscholastic athletics
35179.1 California High School Coaching Education and Training Program
35179.4 Emergency action plan
35179.5 Interscholastic athletics; limitation on full-contact practices
35179.6 Automated external defibrillator, athletic activities
48850 Interscholastic athletics; students in foster care and homeless students
48900 Grounds for suspension and expulsion
48930-48938 Student organizations
49010-49013 Student fees
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
HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
1797.196 Automated external defibrillator
PENAL CODE
245.6 Hazing
Instruction BP 6145.2 (d)
ATHLETIC COMPETITION
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 noncertificated coaches
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
1681-1688 Discrimination based on sex or blindness, Title IX
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 34
106.31 Nondiscrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities
106.33 Comparable facilities
106.41 Nondiscrimination in athletic programs
COURT DECISIONS
Mansourian v. Regents of University of California, (2010) 602 F. 3d 957
McCormick v. School District of Mamaroneck, (2004) 370 F.3d 275
Kahn v. East Side Union High School District, (2003) 31 Cal. 4th 990
Hartzell v. Connell, (1984) 35 Cal. 3d 899