Obion County Board of Education
January 9, 2012

Background Information:

On April 12, 2004, the Board adopted Policy #6.713 – Election of Cheerleaders.  The policy requires the use of judges from outside the county to determine which participants trying out will make the cheer squads at each participating school. At the middle school level, having outside judges has not been a problem and I really do not see this as being a problem in the future since the participants trying out may not have any prior experience at being a cheer squad member. However, at the high school level, our cheer coaches require a minimum degree of athleticism for participates to make the cheer squads. Cheering is no longer a popularity contest; it requires a great deal of skill and is, as with all high school sports, sanctioned by the TSSAA. Our cheer coaches have asked, “Why should other people, who do not know the participants trying out, tell me who will be on my team, when the football, basketball, baseball, softball, and other coaches get to choose who will make their teams?” Since I do not know the history behind the adoption of the policy, I cannot answer this question.

Staff Recommendation:

Without knowing the history behind the adoption of the policy, I cannot offer a recommendation; for discussion purposes only.