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Show District modifies cheerleader policy FARMINGTON According 'jo the latest action taken by the Board of Education last Tuesday ;vening, cheerleaders can once igain travel out of state for com-setition. com-setition. This removes cheerlead-;rs cheerlead-;rs from the jurisdiction of athletic :eams in terms of travel and places Jiem once more within the realm of ill other extra curricular activities. The Board decision was made lfter several parents especially Jiose with students in the cheer-eading cheer-eading programs requested the xlicy be changed. Several parents were in attendance at the Board Tieeting Tuesday evening and they seemed very pleased when the Board reversed their position. The policy passed by a vote of ihree to one. Board member, Ray Briscoe cast the only opposing rate. Dr. Briscoe stated, "Schools should promote growth in travel in icademic areas, not extra curri-:ular." curri-:ular." Although Board President Sheryl Allen voted for the policy :hange, she agreed with the philo sophy expressed by Dr.. Briscoe. "Our main purpose is to educate kids. Cheerleading should be part of an academic experience and it should be kept in perspective," she stated. Mrs. Allen noted that out of state travel would be the exception and not the rule. It would only be allowed when a team won special in-state recognition and qualified for out-of-state events. There is a spending limitation of $400 placed on all extra curricular groups. This includes fund-raising. The Board recommends but does not require a travel limit of 1 ,000 miles. Up until February of this year cheerleaders operated under the same guidelines as other extra curricular cur-ricular groups excluding athletic teams. The Board changed the policy in February to in-state competition com-petition only, the same rule that applies to athletic teams. The rationale at that time was there are many in-state opportunities for cheerleaders to participate and achieve, dmg |