Same boat I'm in. Crap, I'd be happy to just be able to write tuition off as a tax deduction, but we can't even do that after kindergarten. Meanwhile, people that don't work get "refunds", but I digress and am elevating my blood pressure, so I'll stop.

I agree with the principle of the bill but you can bet your bottom dollar the powerhouses will find a way to use it to their advantage.

Jawbone, I agree that some powerhouse schools might try to work the system. In Alabama our bills and laws are typically so horribly worded that there are many loopholes and ways to pervert the original intent of the bills.

But reading this particular bill (based off of Florida law and 28 other states with similar laws), there are some very clear rules in place for residency and academic standards compliance.
*A student can only attend the public school that they are zoned for based on residency requirements.
*Home school students have to prove their academic competency by submittal of academic testing and a sampling of one year of school work and interview with school staff.

I can't see where a powerhouse school could do anything more than recruit any top gifted athletes to play for them. While there are some gifted athletes that also home school, it isn't a large # at all.

No offense at all Straycat, but I find it awfully ironic that someone from Hoover states that athletes won't be able to get around residency requirements, and it say that with all due respect to the powerhouse that is Hoover High.

LOL, yes, Hoover is where my house is located and I've heard the stories. Lots of top tier athletes magically find a way to Hoover....along with employment for parents sometimes too. Doubt Hoover High will be recruiting either Samuel or Caleb anytime soon...good basketball players but not in the same league as Hoover High basketball players.

I'm talking in general terms based on the Bill. If we lived in Cullman or Haleyville or Dothan or Anniston (wherever) and my son was able to and wanted to attend and/or play basketball for a public school, according to the Bill as far as I know he'd have one choice for a tryout...whatever high school we'd be zoned for based on where we lived.

I glad you didn't take that as a personal insult because it sure wasn't meant to be and I'm glad you could see the irony also. I am curious about the private school issue. There are a lot of them that are too small to offer certain sports or band. They should be treated the same as home schooled. They pay taxes too.

Just because you pay taxes doesn't mean you get to play, may give you the right to access though. Ask any parent that has a kid on a team and they will tell you about the fees they pay to the booster club. Its like paying double taxes.
These teams are extracurricular activities sponsored by the school. You should only be allowed to participate where you are zoned.