CHAPTER 4.00 - CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

4.09 Athletics

I. Athletic programs shall be under the control of the school principal. 

II. All District middle and high schools shall be members of the Florida High School  Activities Association, Inc. (FHSAA) and shall be governed by the rules and  regulations adopted by FHSAA. Students who participate in athletics shall meet  eligibility requirements established by FHSAA and the School Board which are  consistent with Florida Statutes. 

III. Students practicing or participating in any type of interscholastic athletics shall  provide proof of accident insurance covering medical expenses of any injury  sustained in a sport. The principal shall be responsible for obtaining proof, as  evidenced by a copy of the insurance card and a signed statement from the  student’s parent(s) or legal guardian, as defined by Florida Statutes, of the  student’s insurance prior to practice or participation in interscholastic athletics.  Such insurance may be made available to the parent(s) or legal guardian through  the school, or the parent(s) or legal guardian may submit evidence that insurance  has been provided through another source. 

IV. No student shall be a candidate for an athletic team, engage in practice, or a  participant in any interscholastic game without filing an informed consent signed by  his/her parent(s)/legal guardian(s) granting written permission. The consent must  explain the nature and risk of concussion and head injury as required by law. The  consent must be filed annually prior to participating in any physical activity related  to athletic competition or candidacy for an athletic team. 

V. Interscholastic Participation: To be eligible to participate in interscholastic  extracurricular student activities, a student must: 

A. Maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or above on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent,  in the previous semester or a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above on  a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, in the courses required by s. 1003.43(1). 

B. Maintain satisfactory conduct and, if a student is convicted of, or is found to have  committed, a felony or a delinquent act which would have been a felony if committed by an adult, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld, the  student's participation in interscholastic extracurricular activities is contingent  upon established and published district school board policy. 

VI. The Superintendent shall develop appropriate administrative procedures for the  operation of the interscholastic athletics program. Such procedures should provide  for the following safeguards: 

A. Prior to enrolling in the sport, each participant shall submit to a thorough physical  examination as defined by Florida Statutes; and a parent/legal guardian shall  report any past or current health problems along a physician's statement that any  such problems have or are being treated and pose no threat to the student's  participation. Physicals are valid for 365 days. 

B. Any student wanting to participate in middle school and/or high school athletics  must complete a mandatory Cardiology Report: Electrocardiogram (ECG) as a  part of the student’s athletic packet and must: 

1. Have an electrocardiogram (ECG) screening prior to participating in his/her  first athletic sport in middle school and again prior to participating in his/her  first athletic sport in high school; or 

2. Decline the electrocardiogram (ECG) screening each year of athletic  participation. 

C. Any student who is found to have a health condition which may be life threatening to self or others shall not be allowed to participate until the situation  has been analyzed by a medical review panel who has determined the conditions  under which the student may participate. Pursuant to F.S. 1006.20(2)(d), the  District shall not be liable for any student with a health condition who has been  authorized to play by the parent/legal guardian if the parent/legal guardian of the  student objects in writing to the student undergoing a medical evaluation  because such evaluation is contrary to his/her religious beliefs or practices. 

D. Any student who incurs an injury requiring a physician’s care is to have the  written approval of a physician prior to the student’s return to participation. 

E. To minimize health and safety risks to student athletes and maintain ethical  standards, school personnel, coaches should never dispense, supply, recommend, or permit the use of any drug, medication, or food supplement solely  for performance-enhancing purposes.

F. The superintendent and school principal will require that sportsmanship, ethics,  and integrity characterize the way the athletic program is conducted and the  actions of students who participate. 

G. All documentation for Physicals (FHSAA Form EL2), FHSAA Consent and  Release from Liability Certificate (FHSAA Form EL3) that covers concussions,  sudden cardiac arrest, and heat related illnesses, the ECG screening Consent  Form and Release of Liability will be maintained by the Athletic Director for seven  (7) years. 

VII. A student athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a  practice or competition shall be removed from play immediately. The athlete may  not return to play without a clearance from appropriate medical personnel.

VIII. FHSAA Form EL3 also provides information for parents and students on Sudden  Cardiac Arrest and Heat related Illnesses. Additional Information on Exertional  Heat Illness is available in School Board Policy 4.18. 

IX. Pursuant to Section 768.135, Florida Statutes, licensed medical personnel who act  as volunteers for school events and agree to render emergency care or treatment  shall be immune from civil liability for treatment of a participant in any school sponsored athletic event, provided such treatment was rendered in accordance with  acceptable standards of practice and was not objected to by the participant. 

X. An automatic external defibrillator (AED) will be available for use, if needed, at  every preseason and regular season interscholastic contest and at every FHSAA  state championship series contest. Staff will be trained to use such equipment. 

XI. All students shall be subject to all School Board rules and to the Code of Student  Conduct while attending athletic events and practices. 

STATUTORY AUTHORITY : 1001.41; 1001.42, F.S. 

LAWS IMPLEMENTED: 768.135; 943.0438; 1000.21; 1001.43; 1002.20; 1002.31; 1006.07; 1006.15;  1006.16; 1006.20, F.S. 

History: Adopted: January 14, 1999 

Revision Dates: October 7, 2003, February 9, 2010, April 11, 2017, January 14, 2025 

Formerly: