As many of our families and community members may be aware, Iowa recently enacted House File 2591, which allows eligible 8th grade students to participate in high school athletics.
We understand this change may generate questions from parents, students, and coaches as everyone works to understand how the new law will be implemented. At this time, the Western Dubuque County Community School District (WDCCSD) administration and Activities Departments are reviewing the legislation and developing procedures that align with both the law and the best interests of our student-athletes and athletic programs.
WDCCSD will not implement a blanket policy that automatically places all 8th grade students at the high school level. We recognize that there may be circumstances where participation at the high school level is appropriate for an individual student-athlete. Any opportunity for an 8th grade student to participate in a high school sport will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis through a comprehensive review process. The process will begin with a recommendation from the respective head varsity coach, followed by administrative review and consideration of the student's physical, emotional, academic readiness, the needs of the athletic program, safety considerations, and the overall well-being of the student-athlete. Parents and guardians will be a part of the decision-making process, and all decisions will be made with the best interests of the student-athlete as the highest priority.
As the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) and the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) continue to provide guidance, we encourage families to review the HF2591 Frequently Asked Questions document. This resource addresses many common questions regarding eligibility, participation, and implementation.
https://ighsau.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/ighsaudocuments/hf2591-faq-06-22-26.pdf
We will be meeting with our head coaches in early August to review the legislation, establish consistent district procedures, and provide additional guidance regarding the implementation of House File 2591. Following those meetings, we will communicate finalized procedures and expectations with our families prior to the start of the fall athletic season.
We appreciate your patience as we work to establish clear procedures and expectations for WDCCSD students, families, and coaches. Our goal is to thoughtfully implement this legislation while supporting student-athlete development, ensuring student safety, and maintaining the integrity of our middle school and high school athletic programs.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Amy Ostwinkle, Activities Director, Western Dubuque High School, amy.ostwinkle@wdbqschools.org
Mark Ressler, Activities Director/Assistant Principal, Cascade Jr/Sr High School, mark.ressler@wdbqschools.org