• School District of New Richmond

    Middle/Senior High School
    Athletic Code

    Approved July 2017

    NONDISCRIMINATION AND ACCESS TO EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY (*Taken from Policy 2260)

    The Board of Education is committed to providing an equal educational opportunity for all students in the District.

    The Board does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, sex (including transgender status, change of sex or gender identity), military status or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability (“Protected Classes”) in any of its student programs and/or activities.

    Reporting Procedures

    Students, parents and all other members of the School District community are encouraged to promptly report suspected violations of this policy to a teacher or administrator.  Any teacher or administrator who receives such a complaint shall file it with the District’s Compliance Officer at his/her first opportunity.

    Students who believe they have been denied equal access to District educational opportunities, in a manner inconsistent with this policy may initiate a complaint and the investigation process that is set forth below.  Initiating a complaint will not adversely affect the complaining individual's participation in educational or extra-curricular programs unless the complaining individual makes the complaint maliciously or with knowledge that it is false.

    District Compliance Officers

    The Board designates the following individuals to serve as the District’s "Compliance Officers" (hereinafter referred to as the "COs").

    Patrick Olson                                                  Kathy Rogers

            District Administrator                                      Director of Student Services

    715-243-7413                                                715-243-7426

    837 East Eleventh Street                                 837 East Eleventh Street

    New Richmond, WI 54017                                New Richmond, WI 54017

    polson@newrichmond.k12.wi.us                       krogers@newrichmond.k12.wi.us

    The names, titles, and contact information of these individuals will be published annually in the staff handbooks, in the School District Annual Report to the public, on the School District’s web site and in the School District’s calendar.

    A CO will be available during regular school/work hours to discuss concerns related to student discrimination in educational opportunities under this policy.

    *The complete policy is found on the School District of New Richmond website – www.newrichmond.k12.wi.us.

    I.       Introduction/Philosophy/Objectives

    A committee consisting of administrators, coaches, parents, and student-athletes developed the athletic code in the winter and spring of 2009. Further, as changes have been needed, the code has been revised to reflect important distinctions and regulations. During the 2016-17 school year, this code was expanded to include student activities in addition to athletics.  The purpose of the code is to make sure that students and their parents are informed of the standards of behavior and conduct that are appropriate for young people who represent New Richmond Schools in various forms of competitions and events. This activities code will be reviewed yearly for updates and modifications.

    Participation in extra-curricular activities is a voluntary activity. It is a privilege to participate in these activities and, therefore, there is a higher standard of behavior for those students who choose to participate. It is hoped that students develop healthy habits, learn important life lessons, and develop commitment to their activities physically and mentally. These activities are an integral and valuable part of a student’s educational experience.

    There are many positive outcomes that can be gained through participation in various activities. Students are encouraged to develop appropriate sportsmanship, self-discipline, respect for other participants, and positive character. This activities code should help teach student participants that there are important consequences for personal actions and rule violations.

    This code details the expectations of students as they pertain to the School District of New Richmond and the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA). Efforts have been made to be consistent in appropriate areas with WIAA policies pertaining to athletics.  As a member of the WIAA, New Richmond High School athletics agrees to follow WIAA rules and policies. School sponsored activities participants are expected to also follow School District of New Richmond policies.  In addition, individual sport coaches and advisors may establish team rules in areas not specifically addressed in this activities code. The activities director must approve additional rules.

    ***A student is required to follow this extra-curricular code on a year-round (12 months) basis***
     

     II.     Eligibility
              Attendance

     Students are expected to be in attendance the entire school day to be eligible to participate in any practices, contests, or events scheduled for that day. Individual exceptions such as documented family emergencies, pre-arranged family trips, medical or dental appointments, school field trips, college visits, or other absences that are pre-excused by the administration are accepted.  Students must have written documentation from medical office when returning to school.

    -> The discovery of a violation of any of these attendance/eligibility rules after the contest or event will result in suspension from participation on the next event or contest date.

    State Athletic Rules of Eligibility

            WIAA Eligibility

    New Richmond High School is a member of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA), and, therefore, will uphold the Constitution, By-Laws, Rules of Eligibility, and Sports Regulations of the WIAA. Following are selected important by-laws for clarification. Students and parents should always check with the Athletic Director if there are questions about actions or activities that call into question eligibility.

    1.      Age:  A student is ineligible for interscholastic competition if the student reaches the age of 19 before August 1 of any given year.

    2.   Amateur Status:  A student shall be an amateur in all recognized sports of the WIAA in order to compete in any sport, and becomes ineligible for all further participation in the school’s interscholastic program when the student:

    a.       accepts cash, salary, merchandise (except awards), or a share of proceeds for participation in that sport.

     b.   signs a contract or agreement for services as a participating student (this does not include signing an athletic tender or being employed as a part-time lifeguard, playground director, etc.).

    c.   receives compensation or benefit, directly or indirectly, for use of name, picture, and/or personal appearance, as an athlete, or provides endorsement, as an athlete, in the promotion of a commercial or profit-making event, item, plan, or service.

    This rule shall not prevent a student from being included with others in publication, in an advertising form of a team picture as part of a congratulatory or welcoming purpose.

    d.   plays in a contest under a name other than his/her own.

    3.   Non-School Participation:  A student owes his/her allegiance and loyalty to the school and team of which he/she is a member and shall become ineligible to compete for the remainder of a season if the student played in a non-school contest at the same time he/she practiced for or was a member of a school team in that sport.

    1. An acceptable program is one that is not limited to students on the basis of school affiliation, athletic experience, team status, etc.
    2. A student who was a member of a school team in a given sport the previous year may not delay reporting for the school team beyond the school’s official opening day of practice in order to continue non-school training or competition, except in the fall-sponsored sports of tennis, golf, and swimming, provided the delay does not extend beyond the first interscholastic meet.
    3. It is not permissible for any person except the student or parents to pay the cost or fee of any kind of non-school activity involving specialized training or similar instruction.
    4. It is not permissible to participate in an all-star game or similar activity
    5. There are NO restrictions relative to voluntary assembling of students during the summer in excess of 5 days without school/coach involvement.
    6. The person coaching a student in the following school season shall not be permitted to coach that student other than during the designated                school season and Board of Control approved coach contact days in the summertime.

    4.   Residence and Transfer:  A full time student, whether an adult or not, is eligible for varsity interscholastic or middle school competition only at the school within whose attendance boundaries his/her parents reside, within a given school district, with the following provisions:

    1. The legal residency of a student’s guardians shall determine eligibility in the cases where both parents are deceased.
    2. A student may complete the school year without loss of eligibility even though his/her parents move out of the district. A student whose parents move out of the district may continue to be eligible in the same school, provided enrollment is continuous in the same school.
    3. A student whose tuition is paid by the school within whose attendance boundaries parents reside or by the state who is participating full time in a legislated open enrollment option must meet all statutory timeline requirements. This section extends until August 1 the opportunity to decline attendance at the new school and return to his/her school of residence (school transferred from). If the student transfers back to school of residence (school transferred from) after August 1, he/she is ineligible for the balance of that school year.
    4. A student who transfers from any school into a member school after the fourth consecutive semester following entry into Grade 9 shall be ineligible for competition for one calendar year, unless the transfer is made necessary by a total change of residence by parent(s). The calendar year—365 days—will be determined from a student’s first day of attendance at the new school
    5. WIAA Handbook:  A complete copy of the WIAA Constitution, By-Laws, Regulations, and specific Sport Regulations can be reviewed in the athletic director’s office. 

    Activities Rules of Eligibility

    1.      All students attending the School District of New Richmond are eligible to participate in student extra-curricular activities.       

           

    III.    Basic Requirements
    Before a student can practice, he/she must have the following completed and on file in the office:

             A.  Extra-Curricular Code signed

             B.   Medical Information Card/Emergency Authorization to Treat form

             C.   Physical or Alternate Year card complete (Athletics Only)

             D.  High/Middle School fee paid - $50/$25 per /activity/sport, $100/$50 cap per student, $200 cap per family

             E.   All supplies and equipment from previous activity or sport turned in

    A participant who is dropped from a squad for disciplinary reasons, or who quits, will not be eligible to compete in another activity during that season, unless the coaches/advisor and administration agree to the arrangement.

    IV.    Academic Standards
             Students are reminded that athletics and activities/clubs are extra-curricular activities. Academic progress is of primary concern. Failure to meet                    academic standards will result in the following penalties.

    The academic standards listed below will be implemented for quarterly grading periods. Academic progress will also be periodically monitored in addition to quarter grading periods. Participants not meeting academic standards may be subject to additional consequences in addition to those listed below.

    A.     Failure in one (1) subject during a marking period will result in ineligibility for 10% of the scheduled contests (minimum of one contest/event). After the suspension is served, a student must be passing all classes or ineligibility continues. Student will demonstrate passing of all classes by submitting the grade eligibility form to the administrator before eligibility is restored. For activities students will be ineligible to participate until all grades are passing.

    Students who are reinstated must maintain passing grades as evidenced by weekly grade reports through the remainder of the quarter. Failure to do so results in suspension from contest(s) for the following week until passing all classes

    B.      Failure in two (2) subjects during a marking period will result in ineligibility for a period of 15 school days (minimum of 2 contests/events). After two contests, a student must be passing all classes or ineligibility continues. Students must submit grade eligibility form to the administrator before eligibility is restored.

    Students who are reinstated must maintain passing grades as evidenced by weekly grade reports through the remainder of the quarter. Failure to do so results in suspension from contest(s) for the following week until passing all classes

    C.   Failure in three (3) or more subjects during a marking period will result in ineligibility for the remainder of the marking period (quarter).

    Middle school students will develop an academic plan for reinstatement after one half of the marking period. Middle school students moving to high school with grade failures will be ineligible under the same guidelines listed above.

    D.   A student who is failing a class will NOT be permitted to miss that class to travel to or participate in an contest, activity or event.

    E.   Incompletes will not be used to determine eligibility unless they are not made up within a two (2) week period.

    ***All ineligibilities begin on the day the administration receives the grade report***

    F.      The ineligibility status will be adjusted as follows for students in fall activities/sports in which the date of the earliest allowed competition is before the first day students are in class.

                  Fall Activities/Sports—The minimum ineligibility period shall be the lesser of:

                   (1)     21 consecutive calendar days beginning with the date of the earliest allowed competition in a sport or

                   (2)     1/3 of the maximum number of contests allowed in a sport

    G.  Penalties for failing to meet academic standards are independent of other penalties—any suspension for other infractions would be added to existing suspension.

    H.  High School students may make up interscholastic ineligibility by successfully completing district approved summer school.

    I.        A student who is enrolled in any state-approved EEN program and who receives no usual grades for such courses may be eligible if he/she is making satisfactory progress in his/her total school program as indicated by his/her IEP.

     

    V.     Code Violations – (A, B, C, D below will be enforced with consequences listed in Section VI.)
     

    A.    Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD)

    Any student involved in the use or possession of alcohol or tobacco or the use, possession, buying, attempting to buy, or selling of illegal drugs, controlled substances, or banned performance enhancing substances will be suspended.  This includes synthetic drugs, electronic cigarettes, and other “look alike” substances.

    B.  Hazing
     

    Any student who participates in a hazing activity will be suspended. Hazing is defined as any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of an individual.

    C.  Harassment and Bullying

    Any athlete who violates School District of New Richmond policy 5517.01 regarding “Bullying and other forms of aggressive behavior” shall be suspended.  Offenses include bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, intimidation, and menacing behavior and includes physical, verbal, psychological, and technology transmitted behavior.

    D.  Other

    Any student who participates, whether or not they actually consume, in any party or other occasion where violation of state law or local ordinance regarding the possession, purchase, sale, or consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs occurs shall be suspended.

    Participates is defined as:

                1.   being at a party or place where violation occurs

                2.   not leaving premises immediately

    *It is recognized that under certain circumstances students may legally enter places where alcohol is served. The intent of the code is not to penalize athletes for association with friends and family or to curtail generally wholesome activities. It is recognized that each of these cases will have to be judged on its individual merits.

     

    ***Students who find themselves in a situation in which they needed to leave the above situation, must report this to their advisor/coach or administration within 48 hours or the next school day.

     

    Consequences for items E and F below will be administered on a case by case basis.  Each individual case may have less or more severe consequences depending on factors in each situation.

     

    E.     Criminal
    Any student who commits a legally punishable criminal act shall be suspended from participation, whether or not the student is prosecuted by governmental authorities. Suspension for criminal violations will be commensurate with the severity of the offense.

    F.   Unacceptable Conduct

    Any student who commits acts of willful, persistent, disruptive behavior, or other activities that interfere with the rules of the School District of New Richmond will be suspended. Any student who is suspended or expelled from school shall be ineligible for participation including practices and contests during the period of suspension or expulsion.

    VI.    Consequences/Penalties
    Violations of the  code and consequences shall be cumulative for each violation committed during the student’s middle school career or high school career. Violations do not carry over from middle school to high school; however, any penalties not completed during middle school must be completed before high school participation can begin.

              A.  Honesty Reduction

    Students who self-report their code violations to the coach/advisor or administration shall have their first offense suspension reduced by one-half. This honesty reduction is available on the first ATOD offense only. The honesty reduction may not apply when school officials would have been made aware of the violation through another source.

             B.   First Violation

    The consequence for the first offense of the code will be suspension from athletic competition for 20 percent of the regular season maximum number of contests in that sport as determined by the WIAA.  Honesty reduction may apply.  For activities the consequence for the first offense will be suspension from activities for 10 school days.

    For activities, there will be no participation or involvement with the activity during this suspension period.  This includes meetings, practices and other events. Athletes will continue to practice with the team during the suspension period. If less than 20 percent of the contests remain on the schedule, the remaining percentage will carry over into the contests of the next sport the athlete participates in.

    Hosting Penalty—Students found to have hosted the party where violations have occurred will have first offense doubled. For further explanation of “hosting” please see section G  below. 

    School Grounds Penalty - Additionally, students found to have supplied drugs or alcohol on school grounds will have the penalty doubled.

             C.  Second Violation
    The consequence for a second offense of the code will be suspension from athletic competition for 50 percent of the regular season maximum number of contests in that sport as determined by the WIAA. For activities the student will be suspended from participation for 30 days.   

    No honesty reduction will apply. Further, if the code violation is for ATOD use, the athlete must undergo, at his/her expense, an alcohol or other drug abuse (ATOD) assessment performed by a community-based health organization/treatment agency, along with any recommenda­tions for a treatment or education program, which is prescribed by the assessors. The student will provide the administrator written certification of compliance with recommendations prior to any reinstatement of participation.

    For activities, students will not be allowed to participate in the activity during the suspension period. Athletes may continue to practice with the team during the suspension period. If less than 50 percent of the contests remain on the schedule, the remaining percentage will carry over into the contests of the next sport the athlete participates in.

    Hosting Penalty—Students found to have hosted the party where violations have occurred will have second offense doubled. For further explanation of “hosting” please see section F below.

    School Grounds Penalty - Additionally, students found to have supplied drugs or alcohol on school grounds will have the penalty doubled.

              D.  Third Violation
    The violation for a third violation of the code will result in permanent ineligibility from School District of New Richmond athletics/activities.

             E.   Suspension Begin Date

    All consequences and suspensions will begin immediately after the student has been found to have committed a violation and has met with an administrator. Suspensions will be served by remaining in a activity/sport in all respects except for participation in events/games. Students may serve suspensions in another activity/sport provided the student completes the season in good standing in that particular activity/sport as determined by documentation provided by the advisor/coach.

             F.   Valid Evidence

    Any information or evidence considered to be relevant, valid, and accurate by any person reviewing a particular alleged violation shall be considered. Parties who provide anonymous information will be asked to provide specific names, dates, times, and infractions. If hearsay evidence cannot be substantiated on the basis of subsequent investigation, it will be treated as rumor.

             G.  Hosting Penalty

    Hosting a party is defined as providing a location in which alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs are provided or consumed. Students found to have hosted a party in which these violations occurred will have penalties doubled for first and second offense violations.

    Hosting penalties supersede honesty reduction clause.  A student who has been found to have hosted the party will not be able to invoke the honesty clause to reduce consequences.

    School Grounds Penalty - Additionally, students found to have supplied drugs or alcohol on school grounds will not be able to invoke the honesty clause to reduce consequences.

     

    H.  Suspension Completion Criteria

    Students suspended for a code violations must complete the season in the activity/sport in a satisfactory manner for the suspension to be considered served.  Should the student not complete the season, they will serve the suspension in their next activity/sport.

    VII.  Due Process For Code Violations

    The procedures in this section will be followed in administering the extra-curricular code and any subsequent suspensions from participation for violations.

    A.  The student shall be notified of any violation of the code. An administrator will then render a decision based on the following:

    1. The student will meet with administration to discuss violation and given the opportunity to respond to charges.
    2. The student has admitted the violation and a suspension will be assessed and served. The administrator will send a letter to the parents/guardians informing them of the decision and the basis for it.
    3. The student has denied the charge; however, the administrator will assess a suspension based on the evidence. The administrator will send a letter to the parents/guardians informing them of the decision and the basis for it.
    4. The alleged violation will be dropped due to insufficient evidence.

    B.   If the student or his/her parents/guardians are dissatisfied with the decision rendered in Step 1, they may appeal the decision to the person who made the decision within five (5) school days after receipt of the letter notifying them of the decision. The administrator and, if appropriate, the advisor/coach of the activity/sport involved, shall schedule a meeting as soon as possible to discuss the issue.

    The student may be accompanied by parents/guardians at the meeting with the activities director or administrator and advisor/coach. The student will have an opportunity to present evidence and challenge evidence presented against him/her at this meeting. The administrator will determine if the suspension should be sustained.

    The administrator shall notify the student and his/her parents/guardians of the decision following this meeting.

    C.   The parents/guardians or student may appeal this decision in writing to the superintendent of schools within five (5) days after the decision of the administrator. The superintendent or superintendent’s designee will, within ten (10) school days of receipt of the written appeal, arrange a meeting between the appropriate parties to review the suspension. This meeting will be conducted by the superintendent or superintendent’s designee.

    At this meeting the student will be provided the opportunity to present evidence on his/her behalf and to challenge evidence that has been presented. A summary of the meeting, including the decision made, will be put in writing by the person conducting the meeting and a copy sent to the student and his/her parents within ten (10) school days after the meeting has been held.

    D.  The school shall consider this the final decision.

    E.   “A violation of any procedure in Article VII is not a defense to a suspension or any other penalty unless the student can demonstrate actual prejudice as a result of the violation.   If the student can demonstrate actual prejudice, nothing in the Code prohibits the District from going through the procedure again in order to correct the violation.”