Birdville ISD board weighs whether to opt out of law allowing homeschool students in UIL activities; decision due Sept. 1

Trustees discussed whether Birdville ISD should opt out of the state law change that allows unenrolled (homeschool) students to participate in district extracurricular activities unless the district formally opts out by Sept. 1.

Coach Barry Norton briefed the board on the practical and cultural implications and said the district must decide whether to opt out. Norton noted the recent statute change requires districts to declare an opt-out by Sept. 1; otherwise unenrolled students are assumed to be eligible for participation in district programs. "If we do not do anything, then it is assumed that they are allowed to participate in our schools," Norton said.

Board members raised equity and eligibility concerns. Trustees noted that district academic-eligibility policies (commonly called "no pass, no play") tie extracurricular participation to classroom performance; unenrolled students would not be subject to the same in-school academic monitoring and could therefore create perceived inequities. Board members also discussed recruiting and competitive-balance concerns, including the possibility that families might choose homeschooling primarily to allow athletic participation while avoiding school accountability measures.

The board reviewed surrounding districts' initial positions: Keller ISD said it would not opt out at that point (with tentative limited athletic participation reported), Colleyville–Grapevine indicated it would opt out, and several neighboring districts had not yet decided. Trustees said the district likely needs to act before September because some sports begin in early August; the board indicated the item will be scheduled as an action item in July so trustees can make a timely decision.

No final board vote was taken at the June meeting; trustees signaled concern about equity and school culture and directed staff to return with materials for an action vote next month.