Plainview ISD board votes to opt out of allowing homeschooled students in UIL activities after hours of debate

The Plainview Independent School District Board of Trustees on April 26 voted to opt out of allowing non‑enrolled, or homeschool, students to participate in University Interscholastic League (UIL) activities under Senate Bill 401.

Board members debated the issue at length after a public comment from Taylor Lacader, pastor of College Heights Baptist Church, who urged the trustees not to opt out. Lacader said homeschool students strengthen teams and asked the board to "do nothing" and allow coaches to determine eligibility. He told the board homeschool families must follow the same eligibility rules and that participation gives districts a better chance to field competitive squads.

Administrators and coaches described steps UIL and the Texas Education Agency have clarified since the law’s passage, including academic‑eligibility checks for non‑enrolled students (nationally normed assessments for the first grading period, then regular six‑week grade reviews), a 60‑minute daily participation limit during school hours and funding the district receives for each participating homeschool student. Several coaches said the policy could help specific sports with small rosters — tennis was cited — if local safeguards were in place.

But trustees expressed reservations. Several said they were troubled by practical issues: how to verify supervision and attendance for students who are not enrolled, concerns about safety and building access for non‑enrolled students during the school day, potential increased liability for the district when students travel on district buses or use district equipment, and the risk of uneven enforcement of discipline and academic expectations. One trustee framed the choice as a question of whether students are "Bulldogs all day" or part‑time representatives.

After the discussion the board voted to opt out of SB 401 for the coming year and to record the opt‑out in the UIL portal by the August 1 deadline. The motion, made by Mr. Salas and seconded by Miss Bass, passed by voice/hand vote. Administration said local policy can still be tailored in future years to allow certain activities if the board chooses to reconsider.

What’s next: The district must update the UIL portal by the statutory deadline. Trustees and staff said they will review local policy language over the summer to define any narrower options — for example, permitting participation in athletics but not in fine arts or UIL academics — should the board wish to revisit the issue.

— Reporting from the Plainview ISD board meeting.