The Prince William County School Board approved a limited pilot program that would allow some principals to allow middle school students to participate in sub-varsity sports at the high school level.
The Board was originally set to vote on the proposed change to School Division policy; however, the measure's sponsor Brentsville District Representative Gil Trenum offered to amend his proposal after discussions with Superintendent of Schools Steven L. Walts.
The Board directed the superintendent to consider such a program on a limited basis and report the findings.
"This has been done in a very limited way in the past, so it certainly something that we would be willing to do," Walts said. "It might arrest some of the concerns that have been expressed."
Walts praised the one-year pilot program, citing the opportunities that it would provide for students.
"We would be happy to work with interested principals who may want to pilot this in one or more sports," he said.
Board member Lisa E. Bell (Neabsco) throughout the discussion cited her continuing concern for the safety of students participating in the program.
"I though it was pretty unanimous across all that this is a safety issue for our students." Bell said.
Walts assured the Board that he would have Supervisor for Health and Physical Education Fred Milbert personally involved in the implementation and evaluation of the pilot program, and ensure that students would meet eligibility requirements.
Originally opposed to the measure, Vice Chairman Dr. Michael Otaigbe (Coles) said he would now support the pilot program.
"I feel differently today. It appears we have the buy-in of the staff, and also piloting this program is a big part of what we do in terms of specialty programs, giving choices to parents and students," Otaigbe said. "It is also in line with our site-based management, so I support it, and this is the genius of our system that we provide a lot of opportunity."
Responding to school safety concerns, Chairman At-Large Milt Johns expressed his confidence that School Division coaches would not put younger students in any danger.
"Frankly, I am very troubled that we would be worried that our coaches would make a terrible decisions like that to put small children in a position where they would be hurt under any circumstances," Johns said. "I hope our coaches have the discretion that they are not putting children in a position where they would get hurt, so really that should not be a consideration."
Trenum first proposed the idea at the Nov. 20 School Board meeting, where he was met with a divided Board, who ultimately voted 5-3 in favor of directing the superintendent to draft or modify a policy and regulations for the controversial measure.
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