ATTACHMENT A WITH CHANGES SINCE 2/6/18

Responsible Office: Office of Student Services

BOARD POLICY 5340

INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS

PURPOSE

The Board of Trustees (“Board”) recognizes the importance of interscholastic athletics

as an important part of the total school experience of students. Participation in such
programs enrich the educational and social development of students. The Washoe
County School District (“District”) encourages and supports student participation in
athletics, and other activities, without compromising the integrity and purpose of the
educational program. Such programs constitute an integral component of the
educational program, providing students with an opportunity to promote physical well-
being, enhance self-confidence, build school spirit, and promote a positive school
climate while learning values such as teamwork and sportsmanship. Athletic programs
shall be designed to meet students' interests and abilities and be varied in scope to
attract wide participation.

POLICY

1. For the purposes of this policy, and associated documents:

a. The terms “sanctioned” or “sponsored” refer to activities, teams, and/or

events that have characteristics to include, but are not limited to, the
following:

i. are recognized and approved by the District, generally through the

Office of the Deputy Superintendent or the Office of Student Services;

ii. are supervised and managed by District-approved personnel;

iii. are composed of members of the current student body, to include a

dual enrolled or private, charter or home-schooled student who is
legitimately enrolled in the school; and

iv. Comply with all policies, regulations and rules of the District, to
include any applicable eligibility requirements.

b. The term “non-sanctioned” refers to activities, teams, organizations, and/or

events that are not controlled or managed by the District and do not have
open access to District resources, to include funding. These activities may
ATTACHMENT A WITH CHANGES SINCE 2/6/18
Board Policy 5340
Interscholastic Athletics
Pg. 2

include, but are not limited to:

i. Organizations, activities, and/or teams run by individuals who are

employed by the District but such organizations, activities, and/or
teams are independent from the District. Although the individual may
be employed by the District and he/she may pay to use District
facilities, his/her independent activities are not considered by the
District to be part of the course and scope of his/her employment with
the District; and/or

ii. Organizations, activities, and/or teams independent from the District

wherein many students of the same school participate in such
opportunities, but the participation is not offered or sponsored by the
District and/or is not directly tied to a student’s enrollment in a District
school.

c. “Extra-curricular” refers to activities, to include athletics, held during or after

the completion of the academic school day, are not graded, do not offer
credit, and are not connected to a curricular program.

2. Governing Principles

a. The District sanctions a wide range of extra-curricular interscholastic athletics

programs for students enrolled in its schools. Students are encouraged to
participate in such programs, which promote the ideals of sportsmanship,
ethical conduct, and fair play.

b. The District provides equal access to participation for all students, regardless
of race, color, national origin or ethnic group identification, ancestry, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, disability,
and/or socio-economic status.

c. The program of District-sponsored interscholastic athletics includes all

competitive sport contests, games or events, or exhibitions involving
individual students or teams of students when such events occur between
separate schools within the District or with any schools outside of the
District.

i. Only District-sponsored interscholastic athletics shall be recognized

by the school to include, but not limited to, inclusion in the school
yearbook, recognition at awards nights, and receipt of an athletic
letter.

d. The District shall not be responsible or liable for non-District-sponsored

programs or for programs that are organized, promoted, or participated in by
ATTACHMENT A WITH CHANGES SINCE 2/6/18
Board Policy 5340
Interscholastic Athletics
Pg. 3

staff members operating outside the course and scope of their employment
with the District.

i. The District shall not be responsible for or control and incur liability
for summer and/or out-of-season activities unless specifically
sponsored by the District.

ii. Any such non-sponsored teams, clubs, and/or organizations are

subject to the same policies and regulations of the District as any
other community organization. Applicable Board policies include, but
are not limited to:

1) Board Policy 1140 related to distribution of information and

materials to students;

2) Board Policy 7120 related to community use of school facilities.

3. Governing Practices

a. The principal or site administrator:

i. Is responsible for the supervision, well-being, and safety of all

participants in sanctioned interscholastic athletics. Procedures and
protocols related to the organization, supervision, and management
of interscholastic activities are detailed in Administrative Manual
5345, High School Athletics.

ii. Shall ensure that staff, to include coaches, assistant coaches, and
volunteers, are aware of the procedures set forth in this policy and
any accompanying governing documents;

iii. Shall ensure that staff are properly trained and qualified for an
assignment as described in the applicable job description; and

iv. Shall be aware of and approve the financial and organizational

aspects of each sanctioned activity. This includes, but is not limited
to, student eligibility, student activity funds/fees, fundraising, and
travel.

v. Shall ensure that staff do not violate Sections 1(b) and 2(d) of this
Policy by using District resources and/or his/her status as a District
employee or coach to advertise or operate a non-sponsored team,
club, and/or organization.

b. In implementing and maintaining student athletic programs, District staff

and volunteers shall comply with the policies and regulations of the
District, as well as any applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
ATTACHMENT A WITH CHANGES SINCE 2/6/18
Board Policy 5340
Interscholastic Athletics
Pg. 4

This includes, but is not limited to:

i. Policies prohibiting bullying, cyberbullying, harassment,

discrimination, and/or retaliation; and

ii. The rules and regulations of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities

Association (NIAA).

c. Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA). The District shall

maintain membership in the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association,
the governing body of high school athletics and activities in the State of
Nevada. The NIAA, in accordance with state laws and regulations, shall
control, supervise and regulate all interscholastic athletic events and other
interscholastic events in member schools.

i. The Coordinator of Student Athletics and Activities, as part of

his/her designated responsibility, shall:

1) Serve as liaison between school site administrators and the

NIAA. This shall include, but not be limited to,

a) Oversight of school compliance with the policies and

regulations of the NIAA; and

b) Communication with the NIAA on behalf of schools.

2) Serve on the NIAA Board of Control.

ii. The following NIAA-sanctioned athletic events are sanctioned by

the District: Cross Country, Football, Golf, Volleyball (Girls), Soccer,
Tennis, Basketball, Bowling, Skiing, Wrestling, Baseball, Softball
(Girls), Swimming and Diving, and Track and Field.

1) The District shall not adopt a sport as a District-sanctioned

sport unless or until the NIAA designates the sport as
sanctioned. The District reserves the right to adopt all or
some of the NIAA sanctioned sports at its discretion and by
approval of the Board of Trustees.

2) Consideration of a sport as a sanctioned activity of the

District shall comply with applicable state and federal laws
and regulations, to include Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972.

d. The Superintendent shall cause to have created administrative regulations

and procedures related to the organization and management of
sanctioned activities/athletics and school-sponsored events in the District,
ATTACHMENT A WITH CHANGES SINCE 2/6/18
Board Policy 5340
Interscholastic Athletics
Pg. 5

such as described in this policy.

e. Eligibility

i. All students participating in interscholastic athletics must meet all

eligibility requirements of the District and the Nevada
Interscholastic Activities Association. This includes, but is not
limited to, maintaining a satisfactory grade-point average in all
subjects; enrollment in courses that ensure normal progress
towards graduation; and maintaining the number of credits
necessary for advancement to the next grade level.

ii. Student participation shall also be subject to behavioral

expectations and disciplinary measures.

iii. The written procedures for all eligibility requirements governing

participation in interscholastic athletics shall be available to
students and their parents/guardians.

iv. Eligibility appeals shall be directed to the Athletics and Activities

Department in the Office of Student Services.

f. Student behavior

i. Student participants shall adhere to District policies and regulations

related to conduct. This includes, but is not limited to:

1) use and/or possession of alcoholic beverages, tobacco (to

include electronic cigarettes and vaping), illegal and/or
controlled substances, including marijuana (cannabis),
opiates not prescribed by a physician, and anabolic steroids;

2) unsportsmanlike conduct;

3) absence from school and/or practice;

4) bullying or cyberbullying;

5) gambling;

6) any infraction of civil or criminal law; and/or

7) Conduct that creates a substantial disruption to the

academic learning environment and/or that substantially
interferes with another participant’s ability to equally access
the athletic program.

ii. Student participants shall adhere to Washoe County School

ATTACHMENT A WITH CHANGES SINCE 2/6/18
Board Policy 5340
Interscholastic Athletics
Pg. 6

District’s “Safe and Respectful Learning Environment” Policy, which

includes hazing and retaliation, as outlined in the District’s Parent-
Student Handbook.

iii. No student participant shall conspire to or participate in sexual

misconduct or hazing, or commit any act that causes or is likely to
cause physical harm or personal degradation resulting in physical or
mental harm to another student.

iv. A violation of the student conduct policy shall result in disciplinary

measures in accordance with the District’s progressive discipline
plan.

g. Student activity funds, fees and fundraising

i. The principal or site administrator shall be responsible for the

proper conduct of all student activities funds, to include fundraising
activities and fees charged to student participants.

ii. No student shall be prohibited from participating in extra-curricular

activities due to an inability to pay fees associated with the activity.

iii. Any fees or costs charged to students and associated with District
sanctioned activities, either in-season or out-of-season, must be
reasonable, appropriate, and accounted for in the school’s Student
Activity Funds (see Administrative Manual 3500, Student Activity
Funds Procedures Manual).

iv. Student funds shall be managed in accordance with sound business

procedures as documented in the District's Student Activity Funds
Procedures Manual. Use of funds shall be designed to encourage
the largest possible educational return to students without
sacrificing the safety of funds or exposing students and their
parent(s)/guardian(s) to undue responsibility.

v. School-sponsored groups may engage in fundraising activities in

accordance with District policies and regulations, and the Student
Activity Funds Procedures Manual. Student participation in
fundraising activities shall be voluntary and not impede student
participation in the activity.

i. In accordance with state law and Board Policy 4505, Standards of

Professional Conduct, no employee, to include coaches, shall receive
unlawful compensation, commission, or personal profit in the course
of performing District duties nor shall the position of any employee be
used for unlawful purposes or for personal gain.
ATTACHMENT A WITH CHANGES SINCE 2/6/18
Board Policy 5340
Interscholastic Athletics
Pg. 7

h. Equitable Access

i. Students with a disability shall have access to extra-curricular

activities as required by federal and state laws and regulations,
regardless of the severity or nature of the disability.

ii. The District shall ensure gender equity in the implementation of

activities and athletics for students. This includes in the
opportunity to participate, use of facilities, and other resources.

i. Non-Sanctioned Activities and Organizations

i. Non-sanctioned activities and organizations must comply with the

District’s policies, regulations, procedures and other rules related to
use of District facilities, distribution of information to students, etc.
This includes, but is not limited to:

1) Use of District Facilities (See Administrative Regulation 7120,

Community Use of School Facilities). The use of District
facilities for non-sanctioned activities requires the submission
and approval of the District’s Facility Use Form. Use of District
facilities for non-sanctioned activities requires proof of
insurance any may be subject to rental fees.

2) Distribution of Information and Non-School Materials to

Students (See Administrative Regulation 1141). Information
and materials shall only be approved for distribution to
students when the activity is sanctioned by the District. All
information/materials are subject to the review and approval of
the District’s Office of Communications and Community
Engagement prior to distribution to students.

3) District staff who are involved with non-sanctioned activities

during their personal time and outside the course and scope of
their employment shall understand that employment with the
District does not extend to the granting of benefits or privileges
not available to non-employees (i.e. use of a school facility). In
addition to the protocols listed above, staff should be aware of
the District’s policy related to conflict of interest and ethical
responsibilities. (See Administrative Regulation 4530, Ethical
Standards / Conflict of Interest)

a) District staff, to include coaches/advisors and

volunteers, shall avoid any conflict of interest between
his/her employment or volunteer opportunity and the
non-sanctioned activity.
ATTACHMENT A WITH CHANGES SINCE 2/6/18
Board Policy 5340
Interscholastic Athletics
Pg. 8

b) District staff shall comply with ethical responsibilities by

maintaining separation between the duties as a District
staff member and the duties to the outside organization.
This includes use of District email, communication with
students and other staff during work hours related to
the outside organization, and other use of District
resources.

4) Non-sanctioned activities, teams, and organizations are not

eligible to receive District funding.

DEFINITIONS

1. “Interscholastic” refers to activities between schools, or representatives of

different schools.

2. “Hazing” refers to intentional actions or activities which inflicts or are intended to

cause physical, mental harm or anxieties; which demean, degrade, or disgrace a
person regardless of location, intent or consent of participants; any action or
situation which intentionally or unintentionally endangers a student for admission
or affiliation with any athletic team or school organization.

DESIRED OUTCOMES

1. Through this policy, the Board seeks to ensure that:

a. All participants and teams, to include students and coaches/advisors, will

represent the school and community in a positive manner and will reflect
the dedication and hard work that will be required to participate and be
successful;

b. The ability to try out and/or participate in the activities and events of the
District shall be accessible to all students; and

c. The co- and extra-curricular activities of the District shall be conducted in

an ethical manner.

d. District protocols are established related to:

i. Eligibility requirements for student participants in co- and extra-

curricular activities;

ii. Organization and management of each sponsored activity for

administrators, coaches and advisors;
ATTACHMENT A WITH CHANGES SINCE 2/6/18
Board Policy 5340
Interscholastic Athletics
Pg. 9

iii. The safety and welfare of student participants in activities; and

iv. The instruction in the essential skills and attitudes needed for
participation.

2. Success will not be measured by records that are achieved but rather by the
knowledge that each participant gave his/her best effort and prepared for each
contest to the best of his/her ability and demonstrates positive, personal growth.

IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS

1. This document reflects the goals of the District’s Strategic Plan and
aligns/complies with the governing documents of the District, to include:

a. Board Policy 7120, Community Use of School Facilities

b. Board Policy 3100, Financial Services

c. Board Policy 4505, Standards of Professional Practice

d. WCSD Activity / Athletic Handbooks

e. WCSD Student Travel Manual

f. WCSD Student Activity Funds Procedures Manual

2. This document complies with Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and Nevada
Administrative Code (NAC), to include:

a. Chapter 386, Local Administrative Organization, and specifically:

i. NRS 386.420 – 386.470, Nevada

ii. NRS 386.580, (Charter Schools) …; discrimination prohibited; …;

participation in class or extracurricular activity by pupil enrolled in
another school or homeschooled child.

iii. NAC 386.600 – 386.886 , Interscholastic Activities

b. Chapter 392, Pupils, and specifically:

i. NRS 392.452, Adoption of policy by school district for prevention

and treatment of injuries to the head which may occur during
participation in competitive sports; requirements of policy; annual
acknowledgment of policy by parent and pupil.

ii. NRS 392.700 Notice of intent to homeschool; release of child’s

records; participation in examinations; educational plan;
ATTACHMENT A WITH CHANGES SINCE 2/6/18
Board Policy 5340
Interscholastic Athletics
Pg. 10

discrimination prohibited.

iii. NRS 392.705, Form for participation in programs and activities at

public school or through Nevada Interscholastic Activities
Association.

3. This document complies with federal laws and regulations, to include:

a. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), 20 U.S.C. §§

1681 et seq., and the implementing regulations, 34 C.F.R. Part 106,

REVIEW & REPORTING

1. This document shall be reviewed as part of the bi-annual review and reporting
process, following each regular session of the Nevada Legislature. The Board of
Trustees shall receive notification of any required changes to the policy as well as
an audit of the accompanying governing documents.

2. Administrative regulations, and/or other associated documents, will be developed as

necessary to implement this policy.

REVISION HISTORY

Date Revision Modification

7-14-2015 1.0 Adopted: merged former Board Policy 5037,
Social Well-Being of Students, and Board
Policy 6145.1, Interscholastic Activities
Program