Brockton Public Schools

School Committee Policy

CO-CURRICULAR AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES - JJ-E

  1. Advantages and privileges of public schools include all extracurricular activities made available, sponsored or supervised by any public school. No school shall sponsor or participate in the organization of outside extracurricular activities conducted by such school that restrict students' participation on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, homeless status, or other protected student category as defined by law. 603 CMR 26.06(1) does not prohibit School Committees from allowing use of school premises by independent groups with restrictive membership.
  2. No student shall be denied the opportunity in any implied or explicit manner to participate in an extracurricular activity becau se of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, homeless status, or other protected student category defmed by law, except as provided in 603 CMR 26.06. In addition, a student shall have the opportunity to participate on the team that is consistent with the student's gender identity.
  3. The school system shall provide a fair distribution of athletic expenditures. Each school within such system shall provide equal opportunity for all students to participate in intramural and interscholastic sports. Factors considered in determining equal opportunity shall include budgetary allocations, the proportion of male and female students in the student body, the number and nature of activities offered, levels of competition, equipment (including rate ofreplacement), supplies, awards, uniform s, facilities, scheduling of games and practice times, travel opportunities and allowances, opportunities to receive equitable coaching and instruction at each level of competition and the availability of services such as medical and insurance coverage, publicity, clerical and administrative staff, scouting services and audio-visual aids.
  4. In developing its athletic program, a school shall be required to demonstrate good faith by taking into account determined student interest. Adults serving on athletic regulatory boards shall fairly represent the interest of all students.
  5. In order to insure fair distribution of athletic expenditures as defined in 603 CMR 26.06(4), each school shall indicate in the budget that is reviewed by the School Committee the anticipated expenditure for each interscholastic and intramural athletic activity and the anticipated student participation in the activity by number and sex.
  6. A school may establish separate teams for males and females for interscholastic and intramural competition in a particular sport, provided that the requirement s of 603 CMR 26.06(8) are satisfied, and recognizing that a student shall have the opportunity to participate on the team that is consistent with the student's gender identity.
  7. Teams comprised primarily or solely of persons of one sex shall be granted equal instruction , training, coaching, access to available facilities, equipment and opportunities to practice and complete as teams engaged in a similar activity comprised primarily or solely of persons of the opposite sex.
  8. Each school shall actively encourage participation in extracurricular activities for all students regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, LEP status, sexual orientation, disability or homeless status. When offering extracurricular programs, schools shall take into consideration the ethnic traditions of the student body. Criteria not related to skill levels which are exclusionary cannot be permitted.