Parents speak out against principals keeping their children out of sports – WRDW-TV

Friday, August 14, 2015 News 12 at 6 O’Clock

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WRDW)– Disappointed by the actions of those that they trust with their children.

“I’m just disappointed in the actions of the educators,” said Melissa Jarrard, mother of Noah a student at Fox Creek High School, who will now have to sit out a whole year from the sport he loves.

“They’ll never get these years back,” said Jarrard, “My son’s sophomore year is going to be taken away from him. His memories of playing ball for his school are going to be taken away from him.”

28 Fox Creek High School students are being held out of athletics for their first year by principals from North Augusta and Midland Valley high schools. Parents of those students gathered at Fox Creek seeking answers they still have not gotten.

“The only answer I’ve gotten from Mr. Murphy was because of my address we’re in that attendance area,” said Keith Gojda, another concerned parent.

South Carolina High School League by-laws say students transferring need permission from the “principal of the school from which the athlete is eligible.”

“(Principal John Murphy) said they were refusing to sign off on any students this year because they felt it was there wish if you were a North Augusta resident, that you attend North Augusta High School and play for the Yellow Jackets,” said Jarrard.

When reaching out to Principal Murphy of North Augusta High School, he says he remains firm on his decision, but so do the parents.

“We’re staying here (Fox Creek), that’s not even a question. Our choice has been Fox Creek from the beginning and it stays there.”

Parents remain so adamant that they are considering picking up and moving to Edgefield County. When asked if they would consider, parents at least said they are considering moving.

The word quit is not in these parents vocabulary.

“I’m going to fight till I can’t anymore. I’m not going to give up lightly,” said Jarrard, “And maybe it’ll happen for these kids if not maybe we can change something for the next kids that come up.”

Students that are being held out will be allowed to practice with the teams throughout the year, according to Fox Creek. They also say though due to the lack of players, the Junior Varsity team will not be able to compete this year.

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Friday, August 14, 2015 1:22 PM

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WRDW)– North Augusta High School Principal John Murphy says he is “firm” in his decision on the students transferring to Fox Creek High School.

Murphy says the district wants to have a consistent decision on students transferring schools and their athletic eligibility. He says in year’s past they have allowed students to transfer schools and participate athletically, but a decision was made before this year to have them sit out their first year at the school a student transfers to.

Murphy also adds that his family have followed all State and district protocol to have their children eligible for athletics.

For more on this story tune into News 12 at 6 O’Clock.

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Thursday, August 13, 2015 News 12 at 6 O’Clock

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WRDW)– The school year and fall sports are just around the corner.

But some athletes going into their first year at Fox Creek High School are in danger of not being able to compete.

“The principal from the school she was zoned for, which was North Augusta High School, has to sign off to release her,” said Nicki Cagle, “He’s released all (transferring students) from previous years. (This year) he’s decided that he’s going to deny them the opportunity to play sports at Fox Creek.”

Nicki Cagle, who’s daughter Montana wants to play volleyball at Fox Creek, says the principal at the school let some ninth grade students, transferring from North Augusta and Midland Valley high schools, know yesterday they will not be allowed to compete in athletics this year. Unwelcome news for Cagle and Montana.

“I mean she’s already made the team, already got the uniform, went to the practices, the workouts even took pictures for the yearbook and now we’re told yesterday at 5 O’Clock that she would not be allowed to play,” said Cagle.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s Public School Choice law, students are allowed to transfer to charter schools. But the South Carolina High School League says the decision over playing sports is up to the principal of their zoned school. Aiken County Superintendent Sean Alford says these decisions are based off the principal’s own judgement.

“The league gives them the right to say in this case we do not ratify or support the student transferring schools based on the whole issue of athletic eligibility,” said Alford.

Alford says after talks today, there is a solution for parents.

“At this point I believe the resolution is very simple, if I certainly feel that strong and I want my child at Fox Creek then that’s where I’m going to take them,” said Alford, “But you just have to go knowing that the principals have decided that they are not going to sign off and ratify for the freshman year of eligibility.”

Cagle just wants her daughter to play and have fun at Fox Creek.

“To allow them to participate in athletics,” said Cagle, “You know as their high school career begins, they participated in athletics their whole life, they would like to participate their beginning days of high school.”

Alford says these decisions rest with the principals and will remain final for the students’ ninth grade years at Fox Creek if they choose to stay.

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