| LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR CHANGE IN NSAA RULES AND REGULATIONS | ||||
| Title: | Hardship Eligibility Criteria | |||
| Author: | NSAA Board of Directors | |||
| School: | Broken Bow | |||
| NSAA District: | 4 | |||
| Proposal for: | Constitution & Bylaws | |||
| Classes Affected: | All | |||
| Activities Affected: | None | |||
| This proposal: | WILL NOT increase costs to the school WILL NOT increase costs to the NSAA WILL NOT increase travel for participating schools WILL NOT decrease a student's or coach's instruction time | |||
| Implementation date: | 2025-08-01 | |||
| Sections affected in Constitution & Bylaws: | Page 18 | Article 1 | Section 10.3.11 | |
| Summary: | 1.10.3.11 - The following shall be considered by the Executive Director and/or the Board in determining if a hardship waiver is to be granted: a. There must be unique conditions existing that concern the student's educational, physical, or mental health which were caused by circumstances beyond the control of the student and his/her parents or legal guardian. The Executive Director and/or Board will consider the steps taken by the family, school, and others to address and support the student's needs prior to the request for a hardship waiver. Hardship waivers are a last resort when all other reasonable steps have been taken to support the student. b. The circumstances must be totally different from those that exist for other students and families who are confronted with similar situations and choices. Usual maturation problems and family situations This proposal would add language requiring documentation of what steps the family, school or others have taken regarding a students' mental healthcare, when the student's mental health is the basis of a hardship waiver request. Language regarding consideration of only physical harm was removed. Clarifies the process of member schools and NSAA staff collaborating on hardship requests and appeals and clarifies the family must provide as much documentation as possible at the time of the request. Language regarding academic deficiencies, transferring for activities purposes, deficiencies in a school's activity offerings and loss of eligibility not constituting a hardship remains in Bylaw 1.10.3.11. *This proposal would also update language in Bylaw 1.10.3.12 regarding the methods used to communicate the determination eliminating the requirement for certified mail. | |||
| Rationale: | This proposal removes language about causing physical harm and adds language about mental health, prioritizing the need to address the students' mental health prior to a request for a hardship waiver. The proposal also removes the need for the determination to be delivered via Certified Mail. | |||
| Pros: | With mental health concerns on the rise for students, this updated language emphasizes the importance of mental health care and support for students. | |||
| Cons: | ||||