A large group of supporters turned out Tuesday evening for the Wabash District #348 School Board meeting, urging the board to allow homeschooled students to participate in district extracurricular activities, including athletics.
Speaking on behalf of the group was Michelle Musgrave, a parent, taxpayer, and District 348 graduate who also previously taught in the district. Musgrave emphasized her respect for the district’s educators and said her family’s decision to homeschool is based on religious conviction, an option permitted under Illinois law.
Musgrave told the board that homeschool families contribute to the school district through property taxes and community involvement, and she argued that allowing homeschooled and private school students to participate in extracurricular activities would strengthen community ties rather than weaken them. She said such a policy could also benefit the district by expanding the pool of student-athletes, building school pride, and potentially increasing enrollment and funding.
Musgrave cited Illinois State Board of Education policy that allows homeschool students to attend public schools part-time under certain conditions and noted that, in some cases, part-time students may already participate in extracurricular activities tied to their coursework. She asked the board to go further by adopting IHSA guidelines, which would allow homeschool students to participate in all extracurricular activities if eligibility requirements are met.
Those requirements include enrollment in at least one credit-bearing class at the public school, meeting weekly academic standards, complying with IHSA bylaws, and paying required tuition and fees. Musgrave also noted that several nearby districts, including Grayville, Robinson, and Vienna, have already adopted similar policies.
The board did not take action Tuesday night, as the issue was not listed on the meeting agenda.