W.Va. Board Seeks Public Input on WVSSAC Proposals

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Board of Education is seeking public comment on proposals to alter athletic transfer rules and other policies governing band and athletic programs.

During their May meeting, board members placed proposed changes to keep the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) current and updated on changes, trends, issues on public comment for 30 days. The changes would bring state policy in compliance with a court order in treating all member schools equal in transfers. The changes also would clarify middle school enrollment and team membership; student eligibility to practice; and when an individual must be removed from an event if a violation occurs.

A Monongalia County Circuit judge invalidated current rules governing student transfers in a December decision that said the WVSSAC does not treat public and private member schools the same in considering transfers.  Robert Konchesky of Morgantown challenged the rules after his daughter transferred from the University High School, a public school in Monongalia County, to Trinity Christian, a private school, for her sophomore year and was ordered to sit out one year.

Most public and private schools in West Virginia are members of the WVSSAC.  Each year, the principals of member schools submit revisions to the rules and regulations, and then the submitted proposals are presented and voted upon at the annual Board of Control meeting.  Any approved changes are then submitted to the West Virginia State Board of Education for its review and approval.

The WVSSAC will present comments received about the changes to the state board at its June meeting.

Educators, parents and community members are encouraged to review the policies and make suggestions. The policies can be viewed and comments can be submitted by logging onto the West Virginia Department of Education website at http://wvde.state.wv.us/policies.

For more information, contact the Office of Communications at (304) 558-2699.

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