Cameron ISD board makes decision on extracurriculars

Cameron students who choose remote instruction for the upcoming school year will not be able to participate in extracurricular activities and elective courses for the six weeks they are not on campus.

The Cameron Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 6-1 in favor of a resolution for this school year during a special meeting on July 27. Michael McAnulty was the only vote against.

Cameron ISD Superintendent Kevin Sprinkles is expected to release final plans for the school year at some point this week, but hadn’t as of press time Wednesday.

Board members discussed the topic at length during the meeting.

“The reason we are having this meeting is that one of the things about remote learning is that there will be some students who wish to participate in extracurricular activities like band, FFA, FCCLA or athletics,” Sprinkles said. “The TEA and UIL came out and said that is OK. The one caveat to that is that the student would be required to be at the period where they are learning skills and at practice.”

Sprinkles said the charge that school districts have been given is different than it was in the spring of last year. 

“Our remote learning has to be directly tied to the TEKS and the grading policy has to be identical and every day that child has to have a connection to an instructor or educator,” he said. “Knowing those things I completely understand any concern any district would have about allowing those children complain. But I have to respect differences in parent’s views.”

Board members each expressed their views and in the end decided that if students want to be able to participate in extracurricular activities they must be in school.

For the rest of the story, pick up this week's Cameron Herald.