I personally know of two families in Caldwell-West Caldwell who have high-school aged children who are home schooled. While they do not participate in our sporting programs, I think it would be beneficial to follow the NJSIAA bylaws to allow home-schooled students to participate in interscholastic sports if the district allows. Most of the home schooled children in our area have friendships with the children that attend public school and do jointly participate in other Caldwell/West Caldwell events together.

Then perhaps the Board of Education should exempt parents of home-schooled and private-schooled students from paying the school tax.

Oh, but they're glad to take our money. They just don't want to provide any services. So they penalize the children. Sports activities occur outside of normal school hours. So there is no logistical reason that non-public students couldn't participate. Except, of course, that the teachers union hates it when you don't send your kid to the government school.

It's their choice...it's, if you want your children to stay home, then do so. But, don't be involved in the school system's programs. Pretty simple.

It is unfortunate that the Board of Education is taking a parochial, all-or-nothing approach to public schooling rather than looking out for the best interest of the children in it's district. Not only does this go against state recommendations, it is also mean spirited.

There are many reasons to home school rather than attend public school: to aid a child with special gifting in pursuing a particular avenue of study, to provide more specialized support to a child with particular needs that cannot be met in a public school setting, etc. A parent who makes the commitment to home school is sacrificing significant time and money to provide what they deem best for the child. A Board of Education that is truly interested in supporting the best education of the students in it's district would be supporting home school parents in their district rather than trying to penalize them.

Either you pay the taxes or you don't...I'm not aware that portions of the taxes are optional.

Chris is 100% correct. If home-school parents are forced to pay for the schools through their taxes, then the district's programs are available to their children. Otherwise, stop taxing them for it. Pretty simple.

What this article does not mention is that the NJSIAA has academic requirements for student athletes. How would a home schooled child meet those be able to document having attained certain grades in courses? There is no set curriculum for home schooled children and they do not have top take the standardized tests public school children must.

I believe the Home School children must attend testing centers to meet the criteria set forth by the State to obtain necessary credits needed to move to the next levels. I don't mind paying the school tax and tuition for private school. The children in school or home schooled deserve to be part of our sports programs, and other after school programs. What is the big deal? Don't be selective.