VALENTINE, Neb. – The Valentine School Board has revised its extracurricular participation policy for homeschool and private school students after weeks of discussion and public input.

At issue: Should non-public school students be required to take public school classes in order to participate in certain activities?

As News Channel Nebraska previously reported, in July the board voted to increase the number of credit hours those students must take to participate in non-regulated activities—from one class to two—and require that at least one of them be a core curriculum course.

Non-regulated activities are those not governed by the Nebraska School Activities Association, such as FFA, FBLA, and all middle school sports.

However, at the August meeting, Superintendent Mike Halley told the board that the district’s attorney had advised them they could not require a core class. The board also heard concerns from several homeschool and private school parents.

“I don’t think there is a problem, and you’re trying to fix something that’s not wrong,” said Shane Hamilton. “Having faith-based education is an opportunity that we want to take, but I don’t think that means we shouldn’t be able to play sports.”

“I’m also a taxpayer and supporter of the public school system,” added David Maas, who has children attending a private Christian school. “It would be nice to see some clear reasoning as to what advantage it gives to add these hurdles.”

Grace Lutheran School principal Andrew Rohel also spoke, saying his school’s mission is to provide a Christian-based education.

“As a parent myself, sports are very important, and this is going to make things very tough,” Rohel said. “I choose a Christian education ultimately over sports, but I don’t think that’s what you’re trying to do, but it feels like what it’s doing.”

Several board members said they wanted to increase the required classes to two for consistency, noting that public school students are not allowed to be failing two classes in a week and still participate in activities.

“I like consistency, and I like that this ten credit hours provides that. What we require for public school students should be what we require for all students,” said Board Member Michelle Kluender.

“I agree with Michelle,” Board Member Kris Larsen added. “I also like the idea of students being in the same class as the teachers who are the coaches and building those relationships.”

On Wednesday night, the board unanimously approved the policy change: non-public school students must now take at least 10 credit hours—or two classes—at Valentine Community Schools to participate in non-regulated activities. Core classes will not be required.

Under Nebraska statute, schools cannot require more than five credit hours—or one class—for non-public school students to take part in regulated activities, which include high school sports, speech, debate, and play production.