By Kathy Chaffin

kchaffin@salisburypost.com

Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education members do not want coaches recruiting students in the school choice zones.

The board voted 6-0 (Kay Wright Norman was absent) to prohibit coaches from joining administrators and teachers in recruiting students to transfer to North Rowan, Salisbury and South high schools under the school choice zones approved last month. "I don't think coaches should be talking to our kids," said Patty Williams. "I don't think athletics should be the issue ..."

Bryce Beard noted that coaches are also teachers and would be able to talk to students in that regard.

Karen South Carpenter said Option B of the proposed school choice renewal guideline for implementing the school choice zones during the 2010-2011 school year make it clear that coaches are not to recruit students for their athletic teams.

Superintendent Dr. Judy Grissom said school administrators added the following clause: "Staff members or individuals acting on behalf of staff members may not offer anything of monetary value to prospective students and their parents/guardians who reside in school choice zones in an attempt to influence the student's school assignment."

"I have seen that happen at other places," she said. "We certainly don't want to get into that business."

Chairman Dr. Jim Emerson said his only concern with Option B was that some parents might want to talk to coaches about the athletic opportunities at one of the schools in the choice zones.

The board also voted 5-1 (Linda Freeze opposed) to allow older siblings of rising ninth graders in the choice zones who wish to transfer to Salisbury or South high schools to automatically be allowed to attend those schools if they choose to do so with no athletic wait period imposed.

The two other options considered by the board were:

- Requiring older siblings of ninth graders who choose to attend one of the two high schools to apply for a traditional transfer with a one-year athletic wait period imposed if the transfer is approved;

- Automatically allowing older siblings to transfer but not allowing them to participate in athletics for the first year under the wait period required of traditional transfers.

North Rowan High School was not included in the option because all high school-age students from any school in the county will be allowed to transfer to the high school with transportation provided. The board voted last month to also provide transportation to students in the following choice zones who opt to transfer to Salisbury or South high schools:

- Rising ninth graders on the section of N.C. 150 encompassing the Summerfield, Windmill Ridge, Hidden Hut and Glen Heather subdivisions may choose to attend Salisbury High instead of West Rowan High.

All middle school students in the Southeast Middle School attendance zone may also choose to attend Salisbury High instead of the high school serving their residence.

- Rising ninth graders in the following sections of the Carson district may choose to attend South Rowan High: Grace Church to Millers Chapel area, Spring Valley area and Cress School Road area.

The decision to attend North Rowan, Salisbury or South Rowan high schools under the provisions of the school choice zones should be made during the traditional transfer period of March 1-April 16, but in no event later than July 1 unless the student moves into the choice zone area after that time. Transfers will not be allowed during the school year.

A "School Choice Form" for students residing in choice zones who wish to attend one of the three high schools should be completed and returned to Transfer Coordinator Patricia Lentz in the Student Services Department or to the principal of the school the student presently attends. The forms will be available at school sites, the Long Street office in East Spencer and will be posted on the school system's Web site along with traditional student transfer information.

Students attending North, Salisbury and South high schools under the choice zone provisions will not be allowed to return to their home school until the end of the semester with a one-year athletic wait period imposed at that point.

Hart, following a presentation by North Rowan High Principal Darrell McDowell on the school's technology program, during which he mentioned North's basketball team being in the state playoffs, said eight of the school system's 12 high school teams (including boys and girls) are in the state playoffs this week.

"I want to say, 'Go Cavaliers, Raiders, Falcons, Cougars and Hornets,' " he said.

Contact Kathy Chaffin at 704-797-4249.