Stafford MSD leaders present districtwide coaching guidelines to limit lost instructional time

District administrators presented proposed guidelines on March 16 designed to reduce instructional time lost when teachers perform athletic duties and to accelerate certification among noncertified (DOI) hires.

The committee that developed the document included the chief academic officer, chief of schools, HR, and athletics staff, administrators said. The guidelines recommend prioritizing coaches'instructional obligations when scheduling departures for contests, generally leaving after sixth or seventh period when feasible; requiring teachers with coaching duties to maintain 95% of a full instructional day; and restricting newly hired noncertified teachers to coaching no more than two sports while they pursue certification. Exceptions were noted for documented illness, FMLA-type situations and other reasonable accommodations.

"Research shows a strong correlation between teacher attendance and student outcomes," the presenter said, noting the committee's aim is to protect classroom time while still supporting extracurricular programs.

Trustees pressed for details on implementation. A trustee asked whether noncertified teachers should be barred from coaching core classes; administrators said the committee intends to review candidates individually and that some coaches already demonstrate strong subject-area readiness. Another trustee urged built-in checkpoints, early notifications and principal involvement so problems are identified before a year is lost.

Deputy administrators described a tiered approach: campus principals and athletic staff would monitor absences, and growth plans, reassignment or contract adjustments could follow if instructional obligations are not met. The presenters said guidelines are recommended (not yet a board policy) and can be revised after a trial period.

Board members praised the district's cross-department collaboration but asked administration to return with clearer accountability steps, a timeline for rollout (the presenters proposed an effective date of the next school year) and how the guidelines will interface with coaches'dual contracts and state requirements.

Next steps: administration will incorporate principal checkpoints, implementation milestones and monitoring details into the plan and return to the board for further review before converting the document into policy language.