Public schools prepare to include private, homeschool students in extracurriculars

Libby Public Schools administrators are grappling with the practical implications of a new state law that allows private and homeschool students to participate in public school extracurriculars.

“It’s easy to say ‘kids can compete,’ but it's not so easy to say ‘how does it look and how is it going to be managed,’” said Jim Germany, athletic director, during a May 10 school board meeting.

State Sen. Steve Hinebauch (R-Wibaux) pitched Senate Bill 157 as a way to bolster the extracurricular programs of small town schools. Hinebauch said schools in these districts, which can struggle to fill team rosters, would greatly benefit from expanded participation.

Supporters of the bill argued that the measure gained increased relevance given the coronavirus pandemic.

“This is an action whose time has come,” said state Rep. Rhonda Knudsen (R-Culbertson) before the House Education Committee. “The abrupt shutdown of our schools made home school and remote school absolutely the only educational option available for many kids in Montana last year.”

Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the bill into law on April 29. The legislation will go into effect on July 1.

To help Libby schools manage the transition, Germany said he had discussed the new law with Mark Beckman, executive director of the Montana High School Association. At the time of the May 10 meeting, Germany still had questions as to how the district would incorporate non-public school students into extracurriculars.

For one, determining the grade level of homeschooled students could present a challenge. Germany was unsure how the district would apply attendance and academic standards — which public school students are required to meet to participate in extracurriculars — to non-public school students. School officials also need to decide how much non-public school students would pay in participation fees.

Germany said he felt that the new law would blur the connection between Libby Public Schools and the district’s athletic programs.

“I have my personal biases and I think you’re taking the student out of student athlete,” he said.

But the policy change could prove a boon for the district. After forming bonds with their public school peers, private school and homeschool students might be enticed to enroll.

“If they start playing sports, maybe they’ll see ‘Wow, school’s not so bad,’” Germany said.

Luke Haggerty, Troy Public Schools athletic coordinator, said he shared some of Germany’s concerns especially in regards to determining a non-public school student’s grade level. Having been homeschooled up until the fifth grade, though, he understood the yearning to join public school sports teams felt by many private and homeschool students.

While he didn’t think Troy Public Schools were likely to see a large influx of new players because of the new law, Haggerty said he knew of at least one new non-public school student interested in joining the football team.

In recent years, Troy has struggled to field players for many of its sports teams. Although some policy issues still needed to be addressed, Haggerty deemed the new law a step in the right direction for both schools and students.

“Whenever you can get kids playing sports, that’s what it’s all about,” Haggerty said.