Rise of charter schools demands new rules

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During a recent Interscholastic Athletics Committee meeting, City Section Commissioner Barbara Fiege revealed a startling statistic: The section has grown to 94 schools and almost one third -- 28 -- are charter schools.

What was also revealing was the potential wiggle room charter schools had when it came to transfers and varsity athletic ability.

Because they are a recent phenomenon, charter schools did not have traditional geographical boundries as defined by CIF rules. A student living in the Crenshaw area could, in theory, have transfered to a charter school in Van Nuys and played varsity sports without the requirements other transfers adhere to.

So the committee decided the City Section will now apply the state CIF rule in regards to charters and transfers. Simply put, a charter school will be considered to have the same geographical boundry of the public school in the same area.

Meaning if the family residence is in the Crenshaw area and the student transfers to a charter school in Van Nuys, the student would have to wait a calendar year before being granted varsity eligibility, unless the family moved to Van Nuys.

If the family moves to a new area, and the move is within CIF guidelines, the student could either continue at his or her present school, or transfer to the public or charter school in the new area of residence and be immediately eligible.

What’s interesting is the direction charter schools may want to go as they continue to evolve and develop big-time sports programs, including 11-man football.

They could seek the same kind of geographical autonomy that private schools have. Approved transfers to private schools do not require a student to wait a year before being eligible, even if the student doesn’t live in the area where the private school is located.

I can already hear the lawyers’ footsteps racing up the court steps with legal challenges.

- Mike Terry