San Francisco Unified School District and County Office of Education
Board Policy 6145.2
Athletic Competition
This Board Policy applies to the San Francisco Unified School District and the County Office of Education.
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)
(cf. 5030 – Student Wellness)
(cf. 5137 – Positive School Climate)
(cf. 6142.7 – Physical Education and Activity)
(cf. 7110 – Facilities Master Plan)
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.
(cf. 4127/4227/4327 – Temporary Athletic Team Coaches)
The Board encourages business and community support for District athletic programs, subject to applicable District policies and regulations governing advertisements and donations.
(cf. 1260 – Educational Foundation)
(cf. 1321 – Solicitation of Funds from and by Students)
(cf. 1325 – Advertising and Promotion)
(cf. 1700 – Relations Between Private Industry and the Schools)
(cf. 3290 – Gifts, Grants and Bequests)
Nondiscrimination and Equivalent Opportunities in the Athletic Program
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.
(cf. 0410 – Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)
(cf. 5145.3 – Nondiscrimination/Harassment)
(cf. 5145.7 – Sexual Harassment)
Any complaint regarding the District’s athletic program shall be filed in accordance with the District’s uniform complaint procedures.
(cf. 1312.3 – Uniform Complaint Procedures)
California Interscholastic Federation
Any District school that participates in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) shall conduct its athletic activities in accordance with CIF bylaws and rules and any applicable District policy and regulation. The Superintendent or designee shall have responsibility for the District’s interscholastic athletic program, while the principal or designee at each participating school shall be responsible for site-level decisions, as appropriate.
Student Eligibility
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that students participating in interscholastic athletics governed by CIF satisfy CIF eligibility requirements.
Students participating in any athletic activities that are not governed by CIF must meet the eligibility requirements set by the District for participation in extracurricular and cocurricular activities.
(cf. 3530 – Risk Management/Insurance)
(cf. 5111.1 – District Residency)
(cf. 5121 – Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)
(cf. 6145 – Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities)
(cf. 6146.1 – High School Graduation Requirements)
(cf. 6173 – Education for Homeless Children)
(cf. 6173.1 – Education for Foster Youth)
(cf. 6173.2 – Education of Children of Military Families)
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)
(cf. 5143 – Insurance)
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. They shall also abide by the core principles of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship, and the Code of Ethics adopted by CIF.
Students and staff shall be subject to disciplinary action for improper conduct. In addition, the Superintendent or his designee may promulgate rules and regulations to promote good sportsmanship in the athletic program, and to impose consequences on students, staff and spectators for improper conduct including but not limited to barring participation in games, barring attendance at games, or placing conditions on participation or attendance at games.
(cf. 3515.2 – Disruptions)
(cf. 4118 – Suspension/Disciplinary Action)
(cf. 4218 – Dismissal/Suspension/Disciplinary Action)
(cf. 5131 – Conduct)
(cf. 5131.1 – Bus Conduct)
(cf. 5131.4 – Student Disturbances)
(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 and meet CIF and District participation requirements. Care shall be taken to ensure that all athletic trainings and competitions are conducted in a reasonable manner in keeping with the physical capabilities of the participants. When appropriate, protective equipment shall be used to prevent or minimize injuries.
(cf. 5131.61 – Drug Testing)
(cf. 5131.63 – Steroids)
(cf. 5141.3 – Health Examinations)
(cf. 5141.6 – School Health Services)
(cf. 5141.7 – Sun Safety)
(cf. 5143 – Insurance)
Coaches and appropriate District employees shall ensure that athletic equipment is kept in safe and serviceable condition.
(cf. 5142 – Safety)
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, such as a concussion or passing out, fainting, or other sign of sudden cardiac arrest, during or immediately after an athletic activity, the coach or any other District employee who is supervising the activity 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.
(cf. 4119.42/4219.42/4319.42 – Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens)
(cf. 4119.43/4219.43/4319.43 – Universal Precautions)
(cf. 5141 – Health Care and Emergencies)
(cf. 5141.21 – Administering Medication and Monitoring Health Conditions)
(cf. 5141.22 – Infectious Diseases)
Whenever an injury is suffered by a student, the Superintendent or designee shall notify the student’s parent/guardian of the date, time, and extent of any injury suffered by the student and any actions taken to treat the student.
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
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
PENAL CODE
245.6 Hazing
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
Management Resources:
CSBA PUBLICATIONS
Updated Legal Guidance: Protecting Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students Against Discrimination, March 2017
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
Pupil Fees, Deposits, and Other Charges, Fiscal Management Advisory 12-02, April 24, 2013
CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION PUBLICATIONS
California Interscholastic Federation Constitution and Bylaws
A Guide to Equity in Athletics
Guidelines for Gender Identity Participation
Keep Their Heart in the Game: A Sudden Cardiac Arrest Information Sheet for Athletes and Parents/Guardians
Pursuing Victory with Honor, 1999
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION PUBLICATIONS
Heads Up: Concussion in High School Sports, Tool Kit, June 2010
Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports, Tool Kit, July 2007
Acute Concussion Evaluation (ACE) Care Plan, 2006
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS PUBLICATIONS
Withdrawal of Dear Colleague Letter on Transgender Students, Dear Colleague Letter, February 22, 2017
Intercollegiate Athletics Policy Clarification: The Three-Part Test – Part Three, Dear Colleague Letter, April 20, 2010
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Department of Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov
California Interscholastic Federation: http://www.cifstate.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Concussion Resources: http://www.cdc.gov/concussion
National Federation of State High School Associations: http://www.nfhs.org
National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment: http://www.nocsae.org
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency: http://www.usada.org
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights: http://www2.ed.gov/ocr
Please note that compare references, or “cf”, refer to CSBA model policies and do not necessarily indicate that the San Francisco Unified School District has adopted the referenced policy.