Central now allows Alternative Education Center students on its teams

An unspoken policy ruled over Alternative Education Center athletics for 13 years. A written prohibition never existed, but no alternative student played on a Central High School sports team.

That is changing this year. With a new school and new leadership, administrators are encouraging students to participate, with the hope it will motivate them to raise their grades and behave.

"If they meet their eligibility requirements in terms of academics and citizenship, everyone was in agreement this is something students should be able to do. It's a really good incentive," said Carla Fee, who is in her second year as principal of the center.

Students attend the Alternative Education Center mainly to catch up on credits. Classes, which serve about 100 students in grades five to 12, are smaller and more focused. A small percentage attends for behavioral reasons. In terms of state records, students are still considered part of the school that sends them.

Last year students questioned why they could participate in Central's graduation but couldn't play on its teams. They said it made them feel ostracized and unmotivated.

Central High School principal Dr. Mike Cowan said many alternative students would have been ineligible to play. "Usually there is a reason they are in alternative school. ... If they are off track for graduation, chances are they will fail to meet academic standards for eligibility," he said.

This summer, Fee and Cowan met with new superintendent Dr. Jim Welker to discuss students' interest in playing. They decided to allow and encourage participation if they met requirements.

One student made the cross country team but has since moved out of state, Fee said. Next month, two students will try out for winter sports.

"I want to remember something about high school," said Paige Smith, 16, who will try out for the basketball team. She attended the alternative school last year but returned to the high school in August "because I wanted to play ball." Her grades slipped, so now she's back at the alternative school. She's excited she'll still have an opportunity to play.

"For me, it will be all about keeping my grades up," she said.

Perry Harris, 17, plans to wrestle. He had to quit in the middle of the season last year because of grades. He transferred to the Alternative Education Center and has been working on catching up on credits.

"I missed wrestling," he said.

Cowan said some people may be "philosophically opposed" to alternative students playing on Central's teams. "But it's not a matter of personal philosophy. It's whether they meet eligibility standards. We are trying to keep students as engaged as we can, and for some that is through sports," he said.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

388-3627

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