Rutherford Institute comments on Training Rule

The Rutherford Institute issued a media release and sent a letter to the Albemarle County School Board today regarding our Athletic Training Rule.  In the letter, John Whitehead, President of the Rutherford Institute, states that, "the Training Rule as it has been structured poses a serious risk to the rights of parents and students and constitutes an unwarranted invasion into the privacy of families."

As one School Board member, I can't yet really comment on the legal points made in Mr. Whitehead's letter.  Certainly the School Board's Attorney will advise the Board as to the merits of those arguments.  I can repeat what I have said publicly about the Training Rule:

• The Athletic Training Rule in use for 2006-07 was revised by school staff (coaches, Athletic Directors, etc.) and it is not a policy approved at the School Board level.  The Student Code of Conduct is an example of a policy approved by the School Board.
• We need to work on an improved set of graduated consequences in the Athletic Training Rule.
• We need to figure out what policies should be in place that apply to all students, not just athletes.
• I am open to any ideas about how we can improve our policies to best achieve our goals.  Public feedback on this issue is very important.
• Our students are asking the School Division to be proactive addressing this issue and working with parents to help improve student behaviors on and off-campus.

I think there are a number of reasons why the Athletic Training Rule should now be reviewed by the School Board, including some of the points I have raised above.  The School Board intends to hold a work session on our policies and educational initiatives related to behavior management, drugs, and alcohol on April 26, 2007.

Mr. Whitehead's letter concludes as follows:

"While we support the spirit of this effort to discourage underage drinking and drug use, any legislative effort to combat it must be done within a constitutional framework. Thus the Rutherford Institute is prepared to offer its assistance to the school district in revamping the Albemarle County Public Schools' Athletic Training Rule..."

Brian Wheeler