Boyle County seniors played on a state championship football team in 2020 but under SB 128 could have the option of returning to school again for the 2021 season. (Jennifer Heist Photo)
Let me quickly admit I do not fully understand Senate Bill 128 that basically seems to allow all students in Kentucky to repeat this COVID interrupted school year. At first some thought it was merely a way to let high school athletes have an extra year of eligibility but the bill is for all students and is described as a way for students to get remedial help to make up for work missed or not totally comprehended this year.
A mother/educator who has children playing high school sports now reached out to me sharing her feelings. I thought I would share it with you and perhaps some of you might have a lot better answers for her than I do. Here’s what she sent me:
“I don’t understand why people are complaining about SB 128 — the do-over bill- affecting athletics. Why are people upset that a student-athlete might get another chance at being recruited? Why are they upset that a school might win another state championship?
“Why are they worried that athletics will outweigh academics — or for that matter, the good decision-making skills of parents and students? Why aren’t we celebrating that students might get another chance to be recruited and expand their opportunities? Why aren’t we applauding the fact that athletics plays a huge, positive role in students’ lives?
“Why aren’t we happy that state legislators are giving kids time to remediate and expand academic opportunities — opportunities that may in fact help pay for college.
“The naysayers can say what they will. The positives outweigh the negatives — if we keep the focus on kids and not adults!”
However, she also wonders if the current KHSAA age restriction on eligibility — any athlete that turns 19 before Aug. 1 is ineligible — will be waived not only for this year’s senior class but also for other students in lower grades who may accept the do-over year.
Of course, local school districts still have to say yes and could decide they do not want to go along with the do-over bill for financial, academic or other reasons. Those decisions are going to be no-win decisions for the local boards because some will be totally in favor of this bill and some will oppose it.
Also if you transfer to a different school system, no do-over. But is that really fair if some school districts allow the do-over year and others do not.
I have no answers but I am really interested to see how some of you might feel about this.
