- December 16, 2025
“I’ve seen kids lose interest and fade away.”
James Russell, school superintendent
With the school uniform decision behind them, the Volusia County School Board has tackled another issue, this one affecting students who play sports. At a special meeting on March 29, the board voted to consider removing the current pass-to-play policy.
This policy takes away a student’s eligibility to take part in athletics if they fail a class needed for graduation. They can participate again after taking a course in the subject area that satisfies graduation requirements.
The district must publicly advertise the vote at least 30 days before the meeting, so it will be at a School Board meeting after 30 days.
If the rule is removed, the school district would conform to state guidelines, which require a 2.0 grade point average for sports participation. Volusia County is the only county in the state which has a pass-to-play rule, district officials said at the meeting.
There are specific rules for athletics through eighth grade, and they would be left alone by the change.
The purpose for the change would be to improve graduation rates and reduce regulation in an area covered by state law, according to the meeting agenda. It appears likely for passage, as the School Board voted unanimously to have a vote on the matter.
At the meeting, Lary Beal, athletics specialist, and two high school principals presented the case for the change to the School Board.
They explained that the rule started in Texas in the 1990s, and it was adopted by Volusia County in 1997. Every other county in Florida considered the rule at that time, but did not adopt it.
The officials explained that the positives of the pass-to-play rule include holding athletes at a higher level, making academics a priority and drawing attention to students who struggle.
But the negatives, they said, are that other extracurricular activities do not have pass to play, students enroll in less rigorous classes because of fear of failing, and it increases the chance of losing a student who struggles academically.
They also said coaches offer support and encouragement.
No one from the audience supported the pass-to-play rule, but social media shows a certain amount of sentiment in favor of it. The Facebook page, Volusia County School Forum, has comments such as, “If they can’t pass they need to spend more time studying,” and “Sports should not rule the country.”
Chairwoman Ida Wright expressed concern about students who are struggling academically.
She said she wanted to be sure students are tracked so that graduation rates actually improve.
Superintendent Tim Russell assured her there is an “early warning system” so intervention and remediation can occur early.
He said students need to connect with other students in such things as athletics.
“That’s their support,” he said. “I’ve seen kids lose interest and fade away.”
Wright said she wants to make sure student athletes know that “student” comes first.
The issue will be decided at a later meeting.
