TK athletic policy changes delayed
6/4/01
Patricia Johns
Staff Writer

The draft of the interscholastic athletics policy being developed by
the Thornapple Kellogg Board of Education was tabled at the May 14
meeting.

The draft will be discussed again at the June 11 meeting of the
board.

Key elements of the draft include "the value... of a program of
interscholastic athletics for as many students as feasible.

"The program ... should provide students the opportunity to exercise
and test their athletic abilities in a context greater and more varied
than that which can be offered by a school."

"The program should also foster the growth of school loyalty with the
student body as a whole and stimulate community interest in
athletics."

More information on wording is being considered before the board
hears the draft at the June meeting. Copies of the draft are being
circulated to the members of the athletic handbook committee as
well.

This policy, if and when it is approved after two readings, supports 
he ideals of good sportsmanship, ethics and integrity. It stresses
that athletic participation is a privilege.

The policy in its draft form also expects parents, fans, participants,
coaches and other school personnel to serve as positive role
models.

The policy under consideration reflects higher standards than those
published by the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

The policy is scheduled for its first reading at the June 11 meeting of
the school board. The board will have two reading before it replaces
the existing policy.

Once the policy is in place, the superintendent will write rules and
procedures for implementation. The board does not get to approve
those rules.

They will get to review the procedures before they are implemented
as they did the new graduation rules at that May 14 meeting.