Athletics director outlines middle-school sports rules, fees and volunteer needs

John Summers, the district's director of athletics and student safety, told families that middle-school sports have shorter seasons (about eight weeks) and different eligibility rules than high school. He emphasized that some rules—such as the WIAA restriction that tackle football is limited to seventh and eighth graders—are set by the state athletics association and not by the local school.

Summers walked parents through required paperwork and timing: a sports physical is required for participation (the state allows a 24-month sports physical option), and the district will publish the FinalForms enrollment window and pack-meeting dates for parents and coaches. He said parents should complete medical forms and emergency information early because incomplete physicals or missing forms prevent students from stepping on the field.

On costs, Summers listed the participation fees used to cover coaches and equipment: an ASB card costs $20 for the year; each sport carries a $50 participation fee; the district caps annual athletic fees at $150 so participating in four seasons is cost-limited. He advised families that if a $50 fee is a barrier, parents should contact school staff or ASB office staff (Miss Kimmy Johnson) for assistance; coaches and the athletics office maintain donated gear to help students who cannot afford equipment.

Summers cited a state legislative reference during the discussion: "So there was a couple years ago, Washington State passed house bill 16 60, which basically says that if you qualify for free and reduced lunch, you do not have to pay any athletic participation fees within your school," and staff explained that the free/reduced application includes a consent form to transfer that eligibility to athletics.

He closed by urging parents to attend the parent-athlete-coach pack meetings, to look for enrollment openings on the athletics websites, and to volunteer (background checks required) because the program relies on a small number of paid coaches and needs parent helpers to maintain safe adult-to-student ratios.