School Board to Consider Amendments to Student Activities Policy

By Albemarle County Public Schools

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. — On March 5, 2026, Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) staff will present a proposal to amend Policy IGDA, which governs student activities. This proposal responds to the School Board’s Nov. 13, 2025, directive for the superintendent to have staff review the policy and recommend any edits.

“Last year, we received a considerable number of inquiries from the public regarding the effects student activities were having in our schools,” noted School Board Chair Rebecca Berlin. “We unanimously agreed that we needed to review the policy to make certain that student activities are structured to enhance student learning in alignment with the mission of the public school system.”

After months of reviewing policies from peer divisions across Virginia and engaging with focus groups of staff, students and caregivers from all three ACPS high schools, ACPS administration offered a draft recommendation for School Board and public consideration.

Key elements of the recommended policy include clarifying the chartering process and approval of school-based clubs, codifying the management of funds raised by student organizations and structuring the participation and involvement of individuals and organizations outside the school system.

The proposed policy draws distinctions between “co-curricular” and “non-curricular” activities. Co-curricular activities are those that extend the academic curriculum and must meet one of the following criteria: The club’s subject matter must be taught in a regularly offered course or relate directly to the academic curriculum (such as yearbook or language clubs); participation must be required as part of a course (such as technical education organizations); or participation in the club results in course credit (such as band and choir).

Non-curricular student organizations are those that allow students to pursue specific interests outside the school curriculum. The policy requires such organizations to meet all of the following guidelines: Students must voluntarily attend club meetings; clubs must be student-initiated, student-led, and open to all students; clubs must not be funded or led by the school, teachers or other staff; and clubs cannot have an unlawful purpose.

While co-curricular and non-curricular activities share the right to use available school facilities and advertise activities with approval from the school principal, non-curricular clubs may not receive any school funding and must be fully student-led without staff organization or sponsorship. Additionally, non-curricular clubs would be prohibited from having in-person guest speakers during the school day, a new condition that has sparked significant public interest.

“The school day should be focused on the school curriculum,” noted Superintendent Matthew Haas. “Outside speakers coming onto school grounds with no direct relation to the curriculum often creates distractions, requires heightened security and is not conducive to a positive learning environment for all students.”

However, Haas noted the importance of non-curricular clubs in providing students with opportunities to find community and engage with other students as they explore interests beyond the school curriculum. That is why, he said, the policy gives all clubs the right to bring in outside speakers and engage more fully with those interests outside the school day.

“I believe, as a board, we all want students to get involved in activities in their school, because they help them feel more connected. That has never been in question,” Berlin stated. “What we have heard from hundreds of families and students is that club activities are often becoming a distraction for many students, which is creating division and discouraging some students from wanting to attend school. That’s an issue we need to resolve.”

The first reading of the proposed policy will occur during the School Board Work Session on March 5. The public is invited to sign up for public comment and attend the March 12 School Board meeting to express their views on the proposed policy changes. Following public comment, the School Board will deliberate, offer any recommended changes and vote on final policy language. The policy will go into effect immediately upon adoption.