School board says no to
private school students playing on Cardinal sports teams

April 22, 2015
Santa Paula News

On a 3-2 vote, (YES: Michelle Kolbeck and Kelsey Stewart, NO: Chris Wilson, Christina Urias and Diana Ponce-Gomez) board members have voted against allowing students from St. Augustine Academy to participate in Santa Paula High School (SPHS) athletics.

St. Augustine is a catholic school located in Ventura and has no athletic program of its own.  The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) last year changed its constitution and bylaws to allow students from private schools who live in a public school district to take part in athletics at the public school. The rule change requires the student live in the CIF-Member school district, attend a school that has no athletic program, meet all CIF-Member school scholastic eligibility requirements and submit to the regular grading period of the CIF-Member school.

David Shaneyfelt requested the action on behalf of his son Mike. “This seems to be a win-win situation for the district and for St. Augustine,” he said. Michael J. Van Hecke, Headmaster at St. Augustine said a small school like his would never be able to offer an athletic program. “So, to be able to allow our students to partner with the district in their hometown I think is profoundly important,” he added.

SPUSD Superintendent Alfonso Gamino said approving this could result in a Charter school or other private school seeking the same consideration. He told the younger Shaneyfelt that he was invited to attend Santa Paula High School and get involved in the athletic program.

Board clerk Kelsey Stewart said she didn’t have a problem with the proposal. “I think it would be a good thing because a lot of these students have roots here and want to play with their friends,” she said. “They want to play with the kids that they grew up with.” Board member Christina Urias also invited Mike Shaneyfelt to attend SPHS. She agreed with an earlier comment that allowing this would set a precedent. “This would open the floodgates to let other students come in,” she concluded. Board member Diana Ponce-Gomez said they shouldn’t make policy based on one person

Board President Michelle Kolbeck, who previously served on the former elementary board, said they had an open door policy. “We had students asking us if their students could be in band,” she said. “This goes back to about 2000. At that time the board felt that these same parents are taxpayers into the public school system.” She added that these are taxpayers and are the same ones who help pass bonds and who go out and fundraise and coach.





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