The Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education convened in the Adams Elementary board room yesterday for its monthly meeting, discussing topics ranging from busing and transportation to back-to-school festivities. One discussion point was eighth-grade students in high school extracurriculars. Signed into law in April, House File 2591 took effect July 1, impacting the 2026-2027 school year. HF2591 expands eligibility so students in the eighth grade can participate in high school athletics. However, the practices and policies for implementation are determined by the school. CCSD Superintendent Dr. Casey Berlau says that just because the law says these students can move up, the school still has the final say.
Dr. Berlau says the initiation process will be a one-way street from school to student and emphasizes parent involvement.
The board collectively agreed with this assessment. It was also determined that the decision to move up has to be made at the beginning of the season and cannot be reversed. This means that if an eighth grader begins playing at the high school level and decides they want to revert to junior high sports, they cannot. However, decisions are made on a sport-by-sport basis, so an eighth-grader can move up in certain sports but not in others. The school board’s next monthly meeting will be Aug. 20 at Adams Elementary at 5 p.m.
