At its June and July meetings, the Snyder ISD Board of Trustees reviewed recent changes to state law regarding the participation of homeschool students in University Interscholastic League (UIL) activities. In May, Texas lawmakers reversed the opt-in model established in 2021. Under the revised law, school districts must now formally opt out by September 1, 2025, if they do not wish to allow homeschool students to participate in UIL activities under their local public school.
In 2024, approximately 4% of Texas school districts opted in. The new legislation makes participation the default and places responsibility on local districts to develop and adopt comprehensive policies. These policies must address a range of areas, including residency, academic eligibility, attendance, registration procedures, tryouts, insurance, behavior expectations, and more.
Following thoughtful discussion, the Board voted 6–1 to opt out of homeschool UIL participation for the 2025–2026 school year. Board members emphasized that this decision was not a reflection of support for or against homeschooling. Instead, several trustees cited the need for additional time to study the law, understand its implications, and explore best practices for implementation.
“There are a lot of moving parts,” said Superintendent of Schools Bob Rauch. “The state requires districts to create local policies, and we need time to carefully study the requirements and develop a framework that is both consistent and equitable. If Snyder ISD chooses to opt in at a future date, our goal is to ensure the process is thoughtful, fair, and aligned with the standards we expect for all students.”
Since the law requires districts to revisit this decision annually and the Board expressed interest in continuing the conversation. Trustees also shared a desire to gather input from a broad range of stakeholders, including Snyder ISD teachers, coaches, parents, board members, and representatives from the local homeschool community. The formation of a committee is being considered to help guide the process and inform any future decisions.