Nebraska’s enrollment policies impact participation in college sports

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) – When Benson High School canceled the final two football games of its season, it cited low attendance. People we’ve spoken to say the players leaving Benson are partly to blame.

• In Nebraska, public high school students have the option of attending a school in another district – called option enrollment – ​​or attending a school in the same district – what OPS calls “school choice.”
• Two years ago, 17 Benson players transferred to Central High School, sparking a neighborhood discussion about switching schools for the sport.
• Nate Neuhaus of the Nebraska School Activities Association says he can’t comment specifically on the Benson situation, but says it’s becoming more common and is causing some programs to have difficulty filling roster spots.

TRANSCRIPT:

This week, 3 News Now reporter Jill Lamkins told viewers about the early end to the Benson High School football team’s season. Through her conversations during her work, she learned that there is a larger story to tell about how open enrollment impacts schools in different ways. Now we examine this ongoing conversation between school districts and state leaders and how it impacts team sports.

We met Brandon and Stacy Fiscus – Co-Presidents of the Benson Bunnies Booster Club on Tuesday.

“I love the school, I love the faculty, I love the staff,” Stacey.

There’s no shortage of fighting spirit, but now they have one less team to cheer for this year. When the school canceled the last two games, it cited low attendance.

People we’ve spoken to say the players leaving Benson are partly to blame.

“It’s hard for us to play against the teams that had the talent when they left us,” Stacey said.

In Nebraska, public high school students have the option of attending a school in another district – this is called option enrollment – ​​or a school in the same district – OPS calls it “school choice.”

Two years ago, 17 Benson players transferred to Central High School. Spark a neighborhood discussion about changing schools in favor of sports.

Nate Neuhaus of the Nebraska School Activities Association says he can’t comment specifically on the Benson situation, but says it’s becoming more common and is causing some programs to have difficulty filling roster spots.

“Participation numbers are not what they used to be and perhaps give more insight into the size of the school. It could be a cultural problem. It could be something within, within the community,” Neuhaus said.

It’s important to note that a transfer bid isn’t guaranteed, but Neuhaus says it’s clearly changing schools in Nebraska and we’re seeing it on the field.

“I think communities used to be a lot more involved, more loyal and committed to the community, as a family and as a school things look different now than they did 5, 10, 15 years ago,” Nehaus said.

But the Fiscuses are now focused on what comes next and believe better days lie ahead for the school in this district.

“And then we move forward together without fighting each other,” Brandon said.

Neuhaus says discussions about enrolling options in NSAA and NDE are increasing day by day. They continue to meet with school districts to develop ideas to address the issues some schools are facing.