So the AD conference took place and the body voted again on a way to impact attendance zones which they believe will level the playing field.

The idea was to have a “net” that was created around private schools and sports magnet schools. The membership voted to have attendance zones assigned to those schools who once had open borders. All schools will now have defined attendance zones and may not have students playing for them outside that attendance zone unless they are in the said school’s feeder system.

An example would be that Oceanside would be defined as Wando’s attendance zone and could not pull kids from Lucy Beckham’s attendance zone or any other schools attendance zone without that player sitting out 365 days. This would also apply to most charter schools but not most magnet schools.

In the past, most attempts at this have failed because of state law that prevents charter schools from being treated differently than public schools. This particular motion was purposely written in a way to apply to all SCHSL schools the same. The impact will not be felt the same though.

One motion that failed, was to a motion to not allow the SCHSL executive committee to overrule the motion of the body at large. It appears unlikely the executive committee will overrule this particular amendment, thus forcing legislators that are unhappy to take it up at the state house.

What about Bishop England's attendance zone or Christ Church? Does this apply to private schools as well?

I would imagine Bishop England would share an attendance line with Phillip Simmons.

Yes, this does apply to private schools in the SCHSL as well. Mysonsdad is correct, BE's defined attendance zone would be the same as Phillip Simmons.

It will help level the playing field for sure.

So a few clarifications.

As currently written, if a child is granted an intra-district transfer, and both schools Principals, as well a the Superintendent or his/her designee agree, that child would be immediately eligible.

Example #1. Susie is zoned for Summerville HS. She wants to play soccer at Ashley Ridge. She applies to to go to Ashley Ridge on the grounds that ARHS offers a CTE program not available at Summerville. DD2 approves and ARHS admits her. She is immediately eligible.

Example #2 Mrs. Jones lives in Richland 1. She works in Richland 2. Richland 2 allows her to enroll her son in their district. If he was not already enrolled there, he would have to sit out for a year.

Example #3 I was asked about kids zoned for Beckham that may want to play at Wando in the future. If the CCSD constituent board approves their transfer, AND the Principals agree, as well as the district Superintendent/designee, then the student would be eligible.

However, as written, a parent in Johns Island could do the same with West Ashley, but not James Island because JI has a separate governing body.

My guess is this will pass the Executive Committee and then the Legislature will take it up and tear it apart.

Ironic you used Summerville/AR as an example. Kind of a running joke in the Summerville area is how many athletes that grow up in the middle of Summerville,,, suddenly find an interested in becoming a farmer,,,, and just HAVE to take the Agricultural program at AR,,, at least for a year......lol